Ashok Panigrahi joins BJP ahead of Bijepur by-poll

KalingaTV News Network

Bargarh: Former Bijepur MLA and BJD leader Ashok Panigrahi formally joined BJP at a special function in Barapalli ahead of Bijepur by-poll.

The former BJD leader joined the saffron party in the presence of two Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram and many senior leaders like Odisha BJP in-charge Arun Singh, state President Basant Panda, KV Singhdeo, Suresh Pujari and Pradip Purohit. Thousands of Panigrahi’s supporters also joined BJD.

Panigrahi had quit the ruling BJD after the party named MLA Subal Sahu’s widow, Rita Sahu, as the candidate for Bijepur the by-election.

On the other hand, BJD said that Panigrahi’s entry into BJP will not have any impact on BJD.

“Ashok Panigrahi’s joining BJP will not have any impact on BJD,” said BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.