Bhubaneswar, Jan 8 (Reporter) In a setback to the ruling BJD in Odisha ahead of 2024 election former BJD minister and five time MLA Balabhadra Majhi resigned from the primary membership of the Biju Janata Dal. Majhi, who was elected to 16th Lok Sabha from Nabarangpur ( ST ) seat as BJD candidate, sent in his resignation letter to party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday. In his resignation letter, Majhi stated that he is relinquishing the primary membership of the party. Sources close to Majhi said he, being a very senior leader in the party, was feeling unhappy with the way he is being treated . Majhi had served as Minister of state for SC and ST development twice during 2002 -2004 and again during 2004-2006 in the Naveen Patnaik government. However, it was not clear whether he would join any political party after quitting the BJD. Majhi is likely to join either Congress or BJP as he is keen to contest the 2024 Assembly elections. A prominent tribal leader from Kalahandi, Majhi was first elected to the Odisha Assembly on Janata Dal ticket in 1990- 95 Assembly election from Narla (ST ) constituency in Kalahandi and again elected from the same constituency in 1995 Assembly election as Janata dal candidate In the 2000 and 2004 Assembly elections he was elected from Narla Assembly seat and from Lanjigarh (ST) Assembly seat in 2014 Assembly elections as Biju Janata Dal candidate. Majhi was also elected to 16th Lok Sabha as BJD candidate from Nabarangpur (ST) seat...////...