The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha, protesting purported disparaging remarks by BJP leader Nishikant Dubey against former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.

Soon after the official listed papers were laid on the table, BJD leader Sasmit Patra rose to record a serious protest against the disparaging, false and concocted statements made by MP Nishikant Dubey against Biju Patnaik. “He (Dubey) has called Biju Patnaik a CIA agent. This is the level to which the ruling party has fallen,” he said. “This is utterly shameful. Biju Janata Dal strongly opposes it and in protest we are walking out.” Patra had on Saturday (March 28, 2026) resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT and Communications, protesting panel chairperson Nishikant Dubey’s remarks.