Bhubaneswar, Feb. 9 -- In a major setback to the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), former minister and sitting MLA from Telkoi constituency Premananda Nayak resigned from primary membership of the party, the legislator said on Friday.

Nayak said he was being sidelined by the party. He had sent his resignation letter to CM Naveen Patnaik and organisational secretary through e-mail in October last year.

"I am resigning from the primary membership of 'Biju Janata Dal'. A valuable time, that spent with you will inspire me to serve better for my Constituency further," read Nayak's letter.

As per sources, Nayak was upset that he wasn't allowed to meet CM Naveen Patnaik over various issues in his constituency. Furthermore, former Champua MLA Dhan...