Rebel Biju Janta Dal (BJD) leader Baijyant ‘Jay’ Panda, who had resigned from the party and the Lok Sabha over differences with its leader and Chief Minister Navin Patnaik, has formally joined the BJP here on Monday. 

The BJD had suspended him last year accusing the billionaire MP of forging ties with the BJP. Panda’s joining is likely to help the BJP, which is trying to make a mark in the State in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. 

The RJD rebel met BJP chief Amit Shah and announced his decision to join the ruling party at its head office here.

He thanked his supporters after the announcement. 

“Nine months of introspection and widespread consultations with colleagues and public. Grateful for the support received from all over. On auspicious Maha Shivratri, I have decided to join the BJP and work under the leadership of Narendra Modi to serve Odisha and India to the best of my ability,” he tweeted.

 

PTI adds:

Panda, who owns an influential media empire in the state, had been a leading parliamentarian of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal before he fell out with its leadership. Amid his perceived proximity with the BJP, the BJD suspended him last year for “anti-party” activities. He then resigned from the BJD and also the Lok Sabha, where he represented Kendrapara constituency twice. He has also represented the state in the Rajya Sabha.

The BJD had accused him of “anti-party activities” to justify his suspension. It later alleged that he was involved in money laundering as it sought a probe. Panda had denied the charge.

Odisha has 21 parliamentary constituencies and the BJD had won 20 of them in 2014. The BJP had won only one seat – Sundargarh – represented by Union minister for tribal affairs Jual Oram.

The BJP has identified Odisha as one of the priority states ahead of the polls. In the 2017 state rural elections, the BJP emerged as the second largest party, pushing the Congress to the third spot.

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Published on March 4, 2019