The day heavyweight Dilip Ray was officially declared MlA nominee of the BJP of Rourkela for the ensuing elections, there has been no halt to the entry of leaders and workers to the BJP from other parties, especially Congress and BJD. The ruling BJD is in the worst situation with a large number of its workers and leaders having deserted the party.
Sources said many BJD leaders and former councillors who were known as the close aides of sitting MlA and BJD nominee Sarada Nayak such as Nirakar lenka, Ashok Mahato, Dilip Mohanty, Prabhu Patra, Nayan Das, Karunakar Mohanty, Bhabani Kabi, SB Pattanaik among others have already joined the BJP and in coming days, still many more are likely to join the BJP. Similarly, many Congress leaders like former municipality chairman, councillors, sarpanches, samiti members and mahila wing leaders whose number would be above 100 have already joined the BJP with their thousands of
supporters.