BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday roped in Ollywood superstar Anubhav Mohanty to the BJD obviously to boost the party’s campaign in the elections to urban local bodies in a few months and the Assembly polls later.
Patnaik’s move came in the wake of the BJD’s drubbing in all the three Notified Area Council (NAC) elections held earlier this month,
Netting Anubhav into the BJD fold is reminiscent of bringing another Odia film superstar Siddhant Mohapatra to the party on the eve of the 2009 general elections and making him the candidate from the Brahmapur lok Sabha constituency which he won defeating the then Union Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu.
Anubhav’s induction into the BJD triggered speculations that he is likely to be the party candidate from the Cuttack lok Sabha seat replacing sitting MP Bhartruhari Mahtab. The actor is a resident of Cuttack city.
Though Anubhav claimed that he and his family members have long been supporters of the BJD and its chief Patnaik, it was of significance that he joined the State’s ruling party only ahead of the elections.
Also significantly, Patnaik announced Anubhav’s entry into the BJD at his residence Naveen Niwas in the company of Siddhant Mohapatra and former Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, who has been elected to the Rajya Sabha on a BJD ticket.
Interestingly, referring to Anubhav, Siddhant said “iconic” figures should join politics in more numbers for betterment of the State. He obviously meant that he himself and Dilip Tirkey are the two other “iconic” personalities who have entered politics and furthered the BJD’s interests.
Naveen Patnaik said, “I am delighted that Anubhav Mohanty, our famous film star, has joined the Biju Janata Dal today. This will give us (the BJD) a tremendous boost in the State, particularly amongst the young people of Odisha.”
An obliged Anubhav said. “I am a fan of this party and our honourable Chief Minister. I am really blessed that I am here. I should always work with those people who are actually working for people. So, when I thought of doing something through politics, I am really blessed that I got the opportunity to be a part of the BJD. What made me really crazy is the Youth Policy of the BJD.”
But at the same time, Anubhav said he would continue to do films, for which he has been allowed by Naveen Patnaik. And it may be noted that Siddhant has been continuing in films even after becoming an MP.
Anubhav, who made his debut in Odia film I love You in 2005, has been gaining popularity by delivering many blockbusters.