Odisha: Ex-Congress MLA Jogesh Singh joins BJD
Sujit kumar bisoyi | TNN | Feb 6, 2019, 17:07 IST
Welcoming Jogesh Singh to the party fold, BJD president and CM Naveen Patnaik said Singh’s joining will streng... Read MoreBHUBANESWAR: Former Congress legislator from Sundargarh, Jogesh Singh formally joined BJD on Wednesday along with his supporters here at party headquarters in presence of BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
Welcoming him to the party fold, the BJD president said Singh’s joining will strengthen the BJD organization in tribal-dominated Sundargarh district.
The two-time legislator had resigned from the Congress on January 18, a day after the grand old party suspended him for anti-party activities. His joining came hours before Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed a public rally at Rourkela in Sundargarh district.
Senior leaders from Sundargarh district were present during the joining programme. BJD leader Kusum Tete, who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 assembly election against Singh, was also seen on the dais.
“The chief minister has given special attention for development of Sundargarh district. I have joined the party to expedite the development process. I will work with all dedication and commitment,” said Singh.
Asked whether he would contest the 2019 assembly elections from Sundargarh, he said it is up to the BJD president.
Singh is the second senior leader after Naba Das, who dumped the Congress to join the ruling dispensation ahead of the ensuing elections. Das had joined the BJD on January 24, a day before Gandhi’s public meeting in Bhubaneswar.
Interestingly, the state government appointed Tete as chairperson of the special development council, Sundargarh, day before Singh’s induction in BJD. Tete had initially protested Singh’s inclusion in the party.
Welcoming him to the party fold, the BJD president said Singh’s joining will strengthen the BJD organization in tribal-dominated Sundargarh district.
The two-time legislator had resigned from the Congress on January 18, a day after the grand old party suspended him for anti-party activities. His joining came hours before Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed a public rally at Rourkela in Sundargarh district.
Senior leaders from Sundargarh district were present during the joining programme. BJD leader Kusum Tete, who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 assembly election against Singh, was also seen on the dais.
“The chief minister has given special attention for development of Sundargarh district. I have joined the party to expedite the development process. I will work with all dedication and commitment,” said Singh.
Asked whether he would contest the 2019 assembly elections from Sundargarh, he said it is up to the BJD president.
Singh is the second senior leader after Naba Das, who dumped the Congress to join the ruling dispensation ahead of the ensuing elections. Das had joined the BJD on January 24, a day before Gandhi’s public meeting in Bhubaneswar.
Interestingly, the state government appointed Tete as chairperson of the special development council, Sundargarh, day before Singh’s induction in BJD. Tete had initially protested Singh’s inclusion in the party.
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