Bhubaneswar: A day after quitting Congress, Bijepur by-poll MLA candidate Pranay Sahu joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Tuesday in the presence of Chief Minister-cum- BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik.
Along with Sahu, hundreds of his supporters also joined the ruling party in Naveen Niwas. On the occasion, Bijepur sitting MLA Rita Sahu was also present.
“I’m glad Pranay Sahu and his followers have joined the party today. I welcome him to the BJD,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
“This will definitely impact poll prospect of Congress in our constituency. I am not hankering after party ticket after joining BJD. I have joined only for my area’s interests. We are grateful to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accepting us. When pretty senior Congress leaders and even former minister are quitting Congress, we are mere small workers of the party. So, how could we repose further faith in Congress?” Pranay Sahu said after joining BJD.
Pranay Sahu had handed over his resignation letter to OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik and AICC leadership Monday.
In his resignation letter, Sahu has alleged that he had requested the State Congress leadership for finding out the cause behind the defeat of the party in Bijepur by-poll but his requests had not been met.
Notably, he was the candidate of Congress party fielded for Bijepur by-poll in 2018.
PNN