Former BJD MP Jayaram Pangi, who joined the BJP recently, said his bad times are now over as he sees a good platform to serve people, particularly tribals, of his area under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Pangi said many of BJD and Congress leaders of Potaingi would follow his suit and joint the saffron party soon.
With Pangi’s joining, the BJP has now three frontal tribal leaders, Sibo Shankar Ulaka and former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang and Pangi, in its Koraput fold. Political analysts have started talking that the three might compete to get tickets for the coming 2019 general elections, though they are saying to follow party decision.
Pangi, a four-time MlA and former Minister in the Biju Patnaik's Council of Ministers (1990-1995), had fallen out with the BJD leadership after he was denied a party ticket in 2014. The regional party suspended him before rural polls held in February.Though Pangi is yet to reveal his next course of action, political observers feel that his joining BJP would cost the BJD dear as he is a popular tribal leader and has good organisational skills.Being a veteran politician, Pangi enjoys support of a solid tribal base and his expulsion has created a possibility of division in the BJD in the district, said political analysts.