Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, who fell apart with the BJD chief and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, had recently indicated his willingness to join the BJP. Panda had said that he would join anybody who is 'committed to tackling the severe problems that Odisha now faces'.
New Delhi: Rebel Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Baijayant 'Jay' Panda joined the BJP on Monday in the presence of BJP president Amit Shah. The presence of the BJP chief during Panda's induction showed the worth the party attaches to the leader.
In a tweet shortly before joining, Panda said, "Nine months of introspection & widespread consultations w/colleagues & public.
Grateful for support recd from all over. On auspicious #MahaShivratri I've decided to join BJP & work under the leadership of Narendra Modi Ji to serve Odisha & India to the best of my ability."
Nine months of introspection & widespread consultations w/colleagues & public.
Grateful for support recd from all over.
On auspicious I've decided to join & work under the leadership of Ji to serve Odisha & India to the best of my ability??
Panda, who fell apart with the BJD chief and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, had recently indicated his willingness to join the BJP. Panda had said that he would join anybody who is "committed to tackling the severe problems that Odisha now faces".
Also read: Modi tacitly opens door of alliance to Naveen Patnaik
Panda had been a BJD Member of Parliament since 2000. Panda's troubles with the BJD chief peaked when he was suspended on "disciplinary grounds" in 2017. He faced Patnaik's wrath after he appeared to openly challenge the BJD leadership following a poor performance in the local body polls in the same year. The BJP had emerged as the second-largest party in the polls.
According to political experts, Panda's induction in the BJP, however, could lead to a rivalry with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also from Odisha and is believed to be eyeing the chief minister's post, if BJP comes to power in the state. Assembly elections in Odisha are slated to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections this year.
So far, it's not clear what role Panda will play in the coming days. But sources say that he will be used more like a campaign face for the BJP in Odisha, and will represent Odisha BJP at the Centre.
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