The BJP would welcome disgruntled BJD MP Baijayant Panda into its fold if he wishes so, hinted Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in response to a national news channel’s report that Panda might join the saffron party.
“We welcome all good people in the party. Any person who has respect towards leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah can be taken into party fold,” Pradhan told reporters replying a question on the channel’s news.
Though Pradhan didn’t give any direct opinion, yet his indication is sufficient to read that Panda may get a rousing welcome if he joins BJP.
Similarly, BJP State president Basanta Panda said, “Politicians who accept the BJP’s ideology can join the party.”
Panda’s office, however, at the same time did not deny the channel’s view. Rather, it preferred to remain silent over the matter while the Odia news channel run by his family highlighted what the national news channel aired on June 9.
Panda did not respond to many Twitter questions in this regard.
The Kendrapada MP, who claims to be one of the founder members of the BJD, was last month removed from the post of spokesperson of the BJD Parliamentary Party for Twitting and writing articles on party matters.
Panda has also written newspaper articles praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Panda also faced egg and stone attacks from a section of BJD activists at Mahanga in Cuttack district recently.
Even some of the BJD leaders alleged that Panda has been working for the BJP.
