Many BJP leaders from the Bijepur Assembly constituency joined the ruling BJD here on Tuesday, giving a major jolt to the saffron party.
Among those joined include former Krushak Morcha district president Kaustubhamani Sahu, ST Morcha district president Kailash Behera, Agalpur BJP Mandal president Upendra Kheti, general secretary Birosen Sahu, BJP Legal Cell member Sarat Chandra Dash, Barpali Town former president Madhu Behera, Balakrushna Pujari, Agalpur PACS director Jayadev Patra, Agalpur Krushak Morcha president Subhas Chandra Sahu and Agalpur Zone ST Morcha president Ajit Ray. Over 40 workers joined the BJD, said party release. These leaders’ joining assumes significance as it happened within 24 hours of filing of nominations by the BJD candidate for the Bijepur by-poll.
Welcoming the new entrants, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the leaders and workers will make his party stronger in Bijepur. He said the BJD would continue to work for welfare of the poor and common people.