Lingaraj (Lingaraj Pradhan) is a social activist, politician, socialist thinker working from Bargarh district in Western Odisha, involved in various social, environmental and farmers' issues.
Prior to joining AAP, he was long time associated with Samajwadi Jan Parishad, a political party founded by Kishen Pattanayak.
[1][2] He left AAP in 2015 after AAP expelled Yogendra yadav and other leader Lingaraj does not use his surname Pradhan as he opposes caste based identity and decided to do away with honorary titles.
[3] 1997 he along with Lingaraj Azad were again attacked by company goons for his participation in the anti-mining movement in Kashipur.
[4] His active political career began in the year 2004 when he contested from Bargarh Assembly constituency and remained in second position by securing over 22,000 votes under the banner of Samajwadi Jan Parishad with support of Odisha Rajya Krushak Sangathan.