Dhenkanal MP Tathagata Satpathy, who served as the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) chief whip during the 16th Lok Sabha, announced his retirement from active politics and will not be contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Mr. Satpathy, who is a four-term MP, first indicated his decision to withdraw from active politics in a tweet a few days ago at the 11th day function at the death of a constituent from Angul, saying he was “bidding adieu”.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Satpathy said that he was quitting active politics for journalism. He is the owner of an Odia language paper Dharitri. He also said that there was a “dire need to leave space for young change makers and policy formulators”.
“There is a need for more fearless voices in journalism now. I am distancing myself from politics to refocus on journalism. I am grateful to my leader Shri Naveen Patnaik for his support all these years. I have realised that politics is not the only means to support people.
“Social leadership is lacking in this country. There is also a dire need to leave space for young change makers and policy formulators. Finally, my son’s insistence that I quit politics won,” he said.
Mr. Satpathy, one of the seniormost MPs in the BJD, has been known to champion liberal causes including the striking down of Section 377, opposing the all-encompassing Aadhaar legislation and the legalisation of marijuana.