Bhubaneswar: In an embarrassment to the BJP, its candidate for Anandpur Assembly segment, Bhagirathi Sethi, quit the party and joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Friday. Sethi, a former BJD MLA, had resigned from the party following denial of ticket in 2014 and joined the saffron camp. Making a ‘U turn’, he returned to the BJD fold Friday. Sethi along with his supporters formally rejoined the BJD in presence of party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the latter’s residence.
“I am glad that Bhagirathi Sethi has returned to the Biju Janata Dal. His rejoining will strengthen the party,” Patnaik said.
“I decided to quit BJP due to infighting in the party and conspiracy against me. This is my home coming,” Sethi told reporters here.
He had won the seat in 2009 elections on the BJD ticket. However, the party replaced him with Mayadhar Jena in 2014.