Bhubaneswar: In a surprising turn of events, Ollywood actor-turned-politician Akash Dasnayak has announced his resignation from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), marking another high-profile exit from the regional party. Dasnayak, a prominent face in Odisha’s entertainment industry and a former MLA from Korei, tendered his resignation letter to the BJD supremo, Naveen Patnaik, citing a ‘loss of self-respect’ within the party.
Having been elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly on a BJD ticket during the 2014 elections, Akash Dasnayak’s departure from the party comes as a significant blow to its ranks. The BJD had entrusted him with key responsibilities, including a stint in the Rajya Sabha before fielding him for Assembly polls, underscoring his prominence within the party’s cadre.
Notably, Kendrapara Lok Sabha member Anubhav Mohanty, another Ollywood actor-turned-politician and a star campaigner for the BJD, had also resigned from the regional party earlier.
Mohanty, who had been a key figure in the BJD’s electoral campaigns, made headlines not only for his political endeavours but also for personal controversies, including marital discord with his estranged wife and actress Varsha Priyadarshini.