In a major setback to the BJD, Trinath Gual, a prominent Dalit leader, a former BJD Jharsuguda District Youth president and District Bar Association president quit the ruling party and joined the BJP at a meeting in which Bargarh BJP MP Suresh Pujari was present on Saturday.
BJP observer for Jharsuguda and Biramitrapur MLA Shankar Oram, former Brajrajnagar MLA Radharani Panda and BJP district president Mangal Sahoo and other senior leaders of the district were present.
Gual was an active BJD member for last 25 years since creation of the party in 1997. Gual said he would serve people staying with the BJP and take any responsibility given by the party high command.
Reports said Gual deserted the BJD as the party’s leadership did not consider him as its candidate for the post of Jharsuguda Municipality Chairman, which is reserved for SC.