Former Koraput MP and tribal leader Jayaram Pangi, who was suspended from the BJD in March this year, joined the BJP at the saffron party’s State headquarters here on Tuesday.
Pangi and hundreds of his supporters joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan and former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang.
Pradhan said a “big change” is going to take place in the State as more and more BJD leaders are opting for the BJP.
Pangi said, “I have not set any terms and conditions before the BJP for joining the party. My position will be decided by the party.”
“I was a disciplined worker in the BJD and never indulged in antiparty activities. I wonder why I was suspended from the party,” he said.
“The BJD is doing exactly the opposite of what Bijubabu (Biju Patnaik) dreamt about Odisha,” he added.
Pangi, who was Koraput district BJD president, had been suspended by party president Naveen Patnaik for antiparty activities during the panchayat elections.
Reacting over the inclusion of Pangi in the BJP, BJD Koraput leader and party spokeperson Rabi Narayan Nanda said, “It will not make any difference to the party. Several tribal leaders from Koraput have joined us. Jayaram Pangi was working for other parties while remaining in the BJD.”