Nabin Swain (right) with BJP chief Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan last year. (Twitter)

A man in Odisha’s Ganjam district, who was visited by BJP chief Amit Shah and top state BJP leaders last year, joined the BJD on Thursday.

In July last year, Nabin Swain (45) of Hugulapata village under Kukudakhandi block had hosted BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan, Arun Singh, Basant Panda and K V Singh Deo for lunch. Swain’s house is close to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Assembly constituency of Hinjili Katu.

“It is our good fortune that a national president (of a political party) came to our house and ate our food,” Swain had told the media at the time.

“They (BJP) had promised me a house, but nothing happened,” said Swain on Friday, wearing the symbols of the BJD, a green hat and sash printed with conch shells. “After seeing Naveen Patnaik’s work, I am happy and have joined the BJD. The BJD has promised me a house under Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana and provided me a ration card.”

Swain reportedly has three sons and no pucca house or electricity connection. His wife works as a farm hand and his father does odd jobs in the village.

“Along with Nabin Swain, 300-400 people in the (same) panchayats have joined the BJD,” said party MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, who attended the event.

BJD vice-president Sameer Mohanty said, “BJD is sending out a message that only those who express loyalty to the party will benefit under state government schemes and receive houses and ration cards.”