Denied ticket, BJP's octogenarian MLA quits party

Odisha'a octogenarian MLA Duryadhan Majhi has resigned from the opposition BJP after being denied ticket by the party to contest the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

Majhi, a five time MLA, was a minister in the Biju Patnaik cabinet and had joined BJP in 2014 after being denied party ticket by BJD.

He is the lone legislator in the state, who has been denied the party ticket for the 2019 polls.

BJP state president Basant Panda said: "The party leadership has decided not to field candidates above 80 years of age. The elder leaders may act as advisors."

Majhi attained 81 years of age in April this year.

Majhi, who is the sitting MLA of Khariar sent his resignation letter to BJP state president Basant Kumar Panda expressing his displeasure over the manner in which the party denied him the ticket.

I am sorry to inform you that I have resigned from primary membership of BJP. Though all the senior leaders of the party including BJP state president had assured my ...