Former Odisha CM Hemananda Biswal’s daughter joins BJD

BHUBANESWAR: Sunita Biswal, daughter of former chief minister and Congress veteran Hemananda Biswal joined BJD on Saturday, what came as a setback for the Congress in tribal-dominated Sundargarh district ahead of the general and assembly polls.

Sunita, who was the executive president of Congress’s Sundargarh unit, joined the ruling party with a few of her supporters in presence of BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas here. Some of the other Congress and BJP workers from various pockets also joined the ruling dispensation on the occasion.

Welcoming them to the party, the BJD president said their joining will strengthen the BJD in Sundargarh district.

Sunita’s joining in BJD came two days after Congress’s Odisha in-charge Jitendra Singh spoke on ‘one family…one ticket’ policy for the forthcoming polls.

“Though I had planned to join BJD earlier, I could not take a decision on quitting the party as my father is in Congress. Finally, I consulted with my in-laws about my plan, who gave their nod to go ahead. I have also informed my father about the decision,” said Sunita after joining the party.

Asked if she has been offered tickets by BJD; Sunita said she has not joined the ruling party with any condition. “I have joined because of the development agenda of chief minister. Whatever decision the party president will take, I will respect it,” she said.

Sources said she was an aspirant for Congress ticket from Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat; but she reportedly decided to quit the grand old party after her name was not considered for the seat.

As the ruling party is likely to field more women candidates this time; Sunita may be fielded from Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat on a BJD ticket, said party insiders.

When contacted, the senior Biswal said it was the personal decision of his daughter to join the BJD as she has quiet grown up now.

“I will remain in Congress,” said the Congress veteran, who is at present the chairperson of disc disciplinary committee of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee.

Biswal, who had elected six times from the then Laikera assembly constituency, served as chief minister of Odisha from December 1999 to March 2000. Earlier, he had also served as deputy chief minister for March 1995 to May 1998.

Earlier, two brothers of Hemananda had joined the ruling party ahead of the 2017 panchayat elections.

The BJD also received a blow as its working president for Bhubaneswar organizational district Babu Singh resigned from the party. Singh has sent his resignation letter to the BJD president.

Speaking to media persons, Singh said he took the decision after being sidelined in the party for years. “I will consult with my supporters before taking any further decision,” he said.