Bhubaneswar: Actor Manoj Mishra joined Congress in the presence of party Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar, OPCC President Sarat Pattnayak and senior leader Narasingha Mishra, here on Saturday.
After joining the grand old party, Manoj said he was inspired by veteran leader Narasingha Mishra to join Congress. “I will continue to work in cinema from where I earn my living. I decided to join Congress to be able to serve people and address the labour migration problem prevalent in western Odisha,” said that alumnus of National School of Drama.
When questioned about depleting fate of Congress, struggling to stay relevant in Odisha politics, he said that future of people of the state is all that matters.
“Manoj Mishra has joined Congress without any expectation. The decision on whether he will contest in the upcoming elections will be taken by the party high command,” said Narasingha Mishra.
Last year, a row between a section of film producers and Manoj Mishra had escalated into a significant political controversy. Narasingha Mishra had then said that the entire state of Odisha will be divided into two parts if Utkal Cine Chambers of Commerce (UCCC)’s ban on actor Manoj Mishra was not revoked immediately. Senior Congress leader and Jatni MLA Suresh Kumar Routray had then criticised the secessionist attitude of the western Odisha politicians and instead called for a solution to the dispute. Later, BJP too demanded immediate withdrawal of the ban.
