Bijay becomes campaign committee chief
Former BJD MP from Kandhamal Rudra Madhab Ray on Sunday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party’s State office here.
It was announced by party State president KV Singh Deo at a Press conference in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, party in-charge for Odisha Arun Singh, senior leaders Biswa Bhusan Harichandan and Ashok Sahu.
Notably, Ray was suspended from the BJD for anti-party activities during the 2014 polls after he was denied party ticket to seek reelection. It was alleged that Ray had supported Congress candidate Harihar Karan.
Some senior BJP leaders indicated that the party might field Ray for the Kandhamal lok Sabha by-election to be held on October 25. The central leadership has proposed Ray’s name for the seat, they said and added that the final decision would be taken by the Central Parliamentary Committee.
Meanwhile, Bijay Mohapatra was appointed the chairman of the party’s campaign committee for the Kandhamal by-poll at a State party executive meeting held office here on Sunday.