Son of late former Kalahandi MP from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bikram Keshari Deo joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday. Arka Keshari Deo met BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence here with a number of his supporters, following which Patnaik announced his induction to the party.
Patnaik said Arka Keshari Deo’s entry into the BJD would strengthen the party’s bases in Kalahandi and Nuapada districts. “I am very glad that Arka Keshari Deo has joined our party with a number of leaders from Kalahandi and Nuapada districts. This will be a great asset to the BJD in both the districts,” Patnaik said.
Deo said he would work for a better performance of the party during the ensuing polls. “I am very happy as I joined the BJD. I will work hard for the party which will win more seats in Nuapada and Kalahandi districts,” he said.
Bikram Keshari Deo had been elected to Parliament from the Kalahandi constituency three times as a BJP candidate. Earlier, he was MlA from Junagarh in Kalahandi district twice.