Ahead of the panchayat elections, three former MlAs and more than 50 other leaders joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party State headquarters here on Sunday.
Former Dharmasala Janata Dal MlA Guru Charan Tikayat, former Gunupur BJD MlA Ramamurty Mutika and former Bhatli Janata Dal MlA Kumarbar Behera joined the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, State president Basanta Panda and senior leadedr Biswabhusan Harichandan.
Besides, BJD leader and Khordha Zilla Parishad Member Sangram Keshari Paikray along with over 50 other local leaders of BJD, Congress and Aam Admi Party (AAP) also joined the BJP.
These leaders were accorded a warm welcome by Basanta Panda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Biswabhusan Harichandan.
Welcoming the new party leaders, Harichandan came down heavily on BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“The Chief Minister is touring districts by helicopter and inaugurating projects and laying foundation-stones of upcoming projects. Where does the money come from to meet his tour expenses,” questioned Harichandan.