In a major jolt to the Congress, its senior leader and former Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal’s daughter Sunita Biswal joined the BJD in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Saturday.
Besides, Kalahandi Congress leaders Sachhidananda Mahakud and Sujit Kumar Nayak, PCC general secretary Rajkishore Das from Sambalpur, Motilal Tanti and Rina Tanti of Rengal block and former Kuchinda block Chairperson and BJP leader Kishore Nayak joined the ruling party.
Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, former Jharsuguda MLA Naba Kishora Das, Bhupinder Singh, MLA Pranab Prakash Das and Sundargarh ST Development Council Chairperson Kusum Tete were present.
Welcoming Biswal and others to the party, Naveen Patnaik said their joining would strengthen the BJD in Sundargarh, Sambalpur and other regions of western Odisha.
Biswal said she joined the BJD after being inspired by the strong political willingness and efforts of the Chief Minister to make Odisha a number one State in the country. Thirty-three-per cent reservation for women in Parliamentary and Assembly seats and the KALIA scheme for farmers have deeply motivated me, she said.
Asked about his reaction, Hemananda Biswal said his daughter is competent enough to take her own political decision. “While I will campaign for the Congress, she will do campaigning for the BJD,” he added.
PCC president Niranjan Patnaik said that Sunita Biswal has joined the BJD with a hope to get its ticket to contest in the coming elections.