Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the swearing-in of the first BJP government in Odisha, Independent MLA-elect from Baramba, Bijaya Kumar Dalabehera, on Tuesday extended support to the saffron party.
Bijaya said he was approached by BJP leaders and decided to extend his support after consulting people of his constituency. “In 2019, I contested on BJP ticket. Though I lost by a thin margin, I continued to work in the constituency. The party denied me the ticket (in the 2024 assembly elections). But, people feel connected to me and they made me win this election. Whatever party wants, I’ll do that…,” he told ANI.
The MLA-elect added that he will seek the support of both the state and central governments to fulfil the dreams of people of Baramba, while includes drinking water facility, and development of railway line and industries in the region.
He had defeated former minister and BJD heavyweight Debiprasad Mishra by 23,479 votes.
Besides Dalabehera, two more rebel BJP leaders – Himashu Sahoo and Sarada Prasad Pradhan – entered the poll fray after being denied party ticket and won from Dharmasala and Mahanga, respectively, in the recently-concluded elections.
Himanshu, who was expelled from BJP, registered a remarkable win in Dharmasala against sitting MLA Pranab Balabantray in the once BJD stronghold by a narrow margin of 4,150 votes. He was re-inducted into the saffron fold on June 5.
Also Read: Expelled Leader Returns To BJP After Winning As Independent In Odisha Assembly Polls
Sarada also made a dent in the BJD bastion of Mahanga, defeating Ankit Jena, son of former minister Pratap Jena.
The BJP won 78 of 147-Assembly seats and swept the Lok Sabha polls, pocketing 20 of 21 seats.
