Mr Sashi Bhusan Behera has been elected as the new leader of Biju Janata Dal Parliamentary Party in Rajya Sabha. He was elected at a meeting of BJD Rajya Sabha members in presence of Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik at Bhubaneswar today. Rajya Sabha member Mangala Kisan has been elected Chief Whip, while Renubala Pradhan has been elected Secretary of the BJD Parliamentary Party in Rajya Sabha.

The post of BJD Parliamentary Party leader was lying vacant following resignation of suspended party MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra. Mr Mohapatra had resigned recently due to failure of communication with the Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Mr Naveen Patnaik.