Former Odisha CM Giridhar Gamang, Son Shishir Resign From BJP
Mamata Mohapatra
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 25: Former Odisha Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang and his son Shishir Gamang on Wednesday resigned from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that they were unable to discharge their political, social and political responsibilities towards the people.
Gamang, who was elected as MP from Koraput district nine times on Congress tickets, sent his resignation letter to BJP national president J P Nadda.
“I joined BJP voluntarily, at my freewill, without precondition in 2015. I realised that I am unable to discharge my political, social and moral duty to the people of Odisha and hence tendering resignation from the primary membership of the party,” Gamang wrote.
Citing reasons behind his decision to quit BJP, Giridhar Gamag said that, “Insult on road is tolerable in politics but not humiliation. I have never tolerated humiliation and will continue to do the same.”
According to the senior leader who quit the Congress party to join the BJP in 2015, there were several instances in BJP where he and his son Shishir Gamang were humiliated ‘intentionally.’
“With a heavy heart I am resigning from BJP. I will be joining a national party and whatever work is assigned to me, will discharge it with dedication,” said Giridhar Gamang.
Giridhar’s son Sishir stated that, “We were intentionally sidelined in the party and given late information about activities and meetings. I was promised an MP ticket but later given an MLA ticket from Gunupur. But I did not get support from the leaders on the ground.”
Shishir further alleged that despite raising various issues both at state and national level, no prominence was given on their grievances for better functioning of the party at ground level.
Giridhar Gamang and his son had recently called on Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao fuelling speculations that they might join the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
On Tuesday, former lawmaker from Koraput, Jayaram Pangi also announced that he will be joining the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s political party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Pangi will join the BRS in Hyderabad on January 27.
