Former Minister Bijay Mohapatra and Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray are likely to announce their decision to quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday.
Mohapatra told reporters here on Thursday that he and Ray would hold a final round of discussions among them on Friday and let their decision be known to the media.
He, however, did not disclose which the two senior leaders would join after leaving the BJP. Speculations are rife that they may rejoin the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) after their long departure from the State’s ruling party.
BJP State president Basant Panda said Mohapatra and Ray are quitting the saffron party “for their personal reasons”.
Ray’s allegation that the Centre is neglecting in implementation of the schemes for Rourkela for a second Brahmani river bridge and for upgrading of the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) into a medical college is not tenable as works for both projects have begun.
