Bhubaneswar, April 26 -- A major political development unfolded in the Bhadrak constituency. Former MP Manjulata Mandal and former MLA Muktikanta Mandal, along with more than 500 leaders and workers, resigned from the BJD, signalling a significant organisational setback for the party in the district.

Those who stepped down include former district president Jagannath Sahu, BJD Simulia MLA candidate Subasini Sahoo, BJD leader Shashi Kumar Sahoo, besides several sarpanches and samiti members.

Earlier, on April 6, BJD president Naveen Patnaik had suspended Manjulata Mandal and Muktikanta Mandal over alleged anti-party activities. The latest developments come days after that action.

Following the mass resignations, the party's position in t...