Bhubaneswar: Former Puri municipality chairperson Jayanta Kumar Sarangi joined the BJP at party’s state headquarters here Sunday after resigning from the primary membership of the BJD Thursday over denial of party ticket for the Satyabadi Assembly constituency.
Sarangi had sent his resignation to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday.
Since his resignation, speculation was rife that Sarangi would join BJP and contest from Puri Assembly segment on the saffron party’s ticket.
After joining BJP, Sarangi said he will work for the party and will help in strengthening its base in Satyabadi if given chance.
“I have been with BJD for the last three decades. I have worked as the chairman of Puri municipality for five years. Now, I have realised that the regional party does not require me anymore. I have been forced to resign from BJD,” he said.
Sarangi claimed that he had strengthened BJD organisation in Satyabadi. But, the BJD leadership did not consider his case while allotting party ticket for the segment.
Earlier, Sarangi had alleged that Puri MLA Maheswar Mohanty and some other BJD leaders were opposing him for many days. “They had created obstacles for many developmental projects launched during my tenure as municipality chairperson. However, the Congress and BJP had never raised any allegation against me,” he claimed.
PNN