Naveen Patnaik Appoints Manas Ranjan Mangaraj as BJD Rajya Sabha Leader
Synopsis
In a significant political move, Naveen Patnaik has named Manas Ranjan Mangaraj as the new Leader of the BJD in the Rajya Sabha. This reshuffle comes after recent elections and reflects changes in the party's parliamentary structure.
Key Takeaways
Naveen Patnaik appoints Manas Ranjan Mangaraj as BJD Rajya Sabha leader.
Sulata Deo takes on the role of Deputy Leader & Chief Whip.
Leadership change follows internal party challenges and recent elections.
Mangaraj has a history of serving in significant governmental roles.
Sasmit Patra resigned amid party discord.
Bhubaneswar, April 13 (NationPress) The President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Naveen Patnaik, has officially designated senior party MP Manas Ranjan Mangaraj as the new Leader of the BJD in the Rajya Sabha as of Monday.
An official announcement released today confirmed the appointment, which also included Sulata Deo as the Deputy Leader and Chief Whip of the BJD Parliamentary Party in the Upper House.
This reshuffling of leadership within the parliamentary ranks of the Rajya Sabha follows the recent biennial elections and the retirement of several senior Members of Parliament. Currently, the party holds six seats in the Upper House. The communication sent to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha requested formal acknowledgment of the newly appointed leaders.
“We kindly request that the necessary official recognition be granted to the newly appointed leaders of the Biju Janata Dal in the Rajya Sabha,” the party appealed to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
Notably, Senior BJD leader Mangaraj was elected to the Upper House in July 2022. Prior to this role, he served as the Media and Public Relations Advisor to the Government of Odisha with the status of Minister of State during the BJD administration from 2019 to 2024.
Additionally, he has held the position of General Secretary of Media Affairs for the regional party.
Previously, Dr. Sasmit Patra, a senior BJD leader, stepped down from his role as Parliamentary Party leader of the BJD in the Rajya Sabha. On April 9, Naveen Patnaik accepted Patra's resignation. Reports indicate that some party MPs had requested Patra's removal in correspondence to the party president.
Internal discord within the party has reportedly led to Patra's resignation as the leader in the Rajya Sabha. Patra, who is in his second term in the Rajya Sabha, has been serving as the BJD's parliamentary party leader since 2022.
A faction within the regional party had turned against Patra following the party's last-minute change of position during the voting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in April 2025, demanding strict action against him for the perceived inconsistency that embarrassed the party.
Point of View
Reflecting ongoing internal dynamics and the need for fresh leadership following a period of upheaval. The decision is likely to influence the party's strategies in the upper house moving forward.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been appointed as the new BJD leader in Rajya Sabha?
Manas Ranjan Mangaraj has been appointed as the new Leader of the BJD in the Rajya Sabha.
What other leadership changes occurred in BJD?
Sulata Deo has been appointed as the Deputy Leader and Chief Whip of the BJD Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha.
Why did Dr. Sasmit Patra resign?
Dr. Sasmit Patra resigned from his position as BJD's Parliamentary Party leader amid internal party conflicts and demands for his removal.
When was Manas Ranjan Mangaraj elected to the Rajya Sabha?
He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in July 2022.
What roles did Mangaraj hold before this appointment?
He previously served as the Media and Public Relations Advisor to the Government of Odisha and as General Secretary of Media Affairs for the BJD.
