India, Sept. 9 -- Bhubaneswar: In a major political development, former Rajya Sabha MP and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader N Bhaskar Rao today resigned from the party. Along with him, former minister Lal Bihari Himirika and several local leaders and workers of Rayagada district also quit the party's primary membership.
Rao has announced the formation of a new outfit named 'Biju Swabhiman Mancha'.
According to reports, the decision came after a meeting of elected panchayat representatives, councillors, and senior leaders at Rao's residence following the announcement of Jagannath Saraka as the new district president of BJD.
Speculation about Rao's next move had been rife for the past few weeks. Tensions escalated further after the BJD...