Ex-MLA Dushmant Naik Joins BJD

Bhubaneswar: Former Bhawanipatna MLA Dushmant Naik and more than 1,000 Congress worker joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday in the presence of party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Notably, Naik had resigned from Congress a couple of days back.

Under the leadership of Naik, former Congress president of Bhawanipatna Sukanti Behera, 22 Sarapanchas, nine ward members, six former sarpanchas and more than 1,000 Congress workers joined the regional party.

The party supremo welcomed all the newly-joined members and said, “Dushmanta is an ex-MLA and a good organiser. Our party has gained in strength in Bhawanipatna constituency with the joining of thousands of Congress workers.”

Naik and his supporters vowed to work for the betterment of the state and party.

He gave all the credit to the Chief Minister for the development of his district and said, “My supporters have been suggesting me to join the ruling party for overall development of my constituency. I will try to take Kalahandi district to number one position in the state.”

Earlier, Naik had alleged that he was neglected and humiliated by some senior leaders in the Congress. He was also unhappy over party affairs.