Bhubaneswar, Nov 3 || In a significant political development ahead of the Nuapada bye-election, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), delivering a major setback to the Opposition BJD.
Patnaik formally joined the BJP at an event held here at the state headquarters of the party in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, state BJP President Manmohan Samal, and Odisha BJP Incharge Vijaypal Singh Tomar.
Welcoming Patnaik into the party, CM Majhi said that in the political scenario of Odisha, Patnaik is known as a noted intellectual personality, both in the state as well as in the Parliament.
He also praised Patnaik for the services rendered by him as a public servant, Rajya Sabha member and his role in the Cooperative movement in Odisha.
The Chief Minister said that the experience and leadership will play a major role in strengthening the BJP.