JOIN USTathagata Satpathy quits politics
Senior BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy on Tuesday announced quitting politics to return to full-time journalism even as he emphasised that he has no "ill-will" against Odisha Chief Minister and party chief Naveen Patnaik.
Satpathy, who represents Dhenkanal in Odisha and edits Odia newspaper 'Dharitri' and English daily 'Orissa Post', will not be contesting again as he wanted to focus more on the newspapers he edits and spend more time with family.
"There is no ill-will against the BJD or the party chief. There was no problem for a ticket. My son's insistence to quit politics won," Satpathy told Deccan Herald over the phone.
His tweet on Monday, "today at Bhakti babu's mother's 11th Day after death, Angul. Huge gathering. Nearly my total gang(all not in photo) from all 7 Assembly segments was invited/present. Launched and happily bid adieu to all" gave a hint about his next move.
"I was mulling it for a long time. Family was neglected. So I wanted to spend more time with family. Also, I have to concentrate on journalism," Satpathy, who is the son of former Chief Minister Nandini Satpaty and former MP Debendra Satpathy, said.
"There is a need for more fearless voices in journalism now. Distancing myself from politics to refocus on journalism. Grateful to my leader Naveen Patnaik for his support all these years. Realised that politics is not the only means to support people. Social leadership is lacking in this country. Also, a dire need to leave space for young changemakers and policy formulators," he said.
A vocal critic of BJP, Satpathy has been an advocate of net neutrality and had been campaigning against the imposition of Aadhaar.
On Monday, former BJD MP Baijayant 'Jay' Panda had joined BJP.
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