Bhubaneswar: Senior leader and former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with a large number of supporters in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Biswal was formally inducted into the BJP in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Mjhi, state BJP president Manmohan Samal, and other senior party leaders.
The joining took place after Biswal, accompanied by hundreds of supporters, took out a grand procession from Master Canteen to the party’s headquarters in Unit-III, Bhubaneswar.
The entry of Biswal, a three-time former MLA from Choudwar-Cuttack, followed days of speculations in political circles about his possible induction into the saffron party. Biswal’s entry is expected to further strengthen the BJP’s organisational presence across Odisha, particularly in the Kataka region where he wields considerable influence.
Speculation over Biswal’s possible switch had gained momentum after his son, Souvik Biswal, visited the BJP’s state headquarters on Saturday.
Political observers described the move as a strategic boost for the BJP in the state, particularly in the run‑up to upcoming panchayat and urban bodies elections. His long association with grassroots politics and ability to mobilise large crowds are expected to further strengthen the ruling party’s organisational base.
Reacting to the development, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallick said that the BJD remained strong even when Pravat Biswal was not with the party and that his joining the BJP would have no impact on its organisation.
It may be recalled that Pravat Biswal had been expelled from the BJD for indiscipline and anti-party activities in February this year after he openly opposed the candidature of Santrupt Misra, political secretary to party president Naveen Patnaik, for Rajya Sabha election.
“Many will come and go like this. So many ‘rotten brinjals’ are coming and going from this party. Naveen Patnaik is ‘Naveen Patnaik’, and he has that kind of influence, that kind of leadership. People of Odisha will come to Naveen Patnaik under his leadership,” Pramila Mallik told reporters.
