Paradip: Vice-chairperson Chhabilata Rout and nine councillors of Pradip Municipality led by working president of Pradip-Erasma Industrial Development Council Monadipa Sarkhel joined BJD in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Sarkhel and Rout accompanied by hundreds of BJP and Congress workers came to BJD office Sankha Bhawan in the city for the joining programme. They were welcomed to the party by Rajya Sabha member Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, former minister and Nayagarh MLA Arun Sahu and Paradip MLA Sambit Routray.
Sahu said the newly inducted members will further strengthen the BJD in Jagatsinghpur district, particularly Ersama and Paradip.
Thanking Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik for taking them into the party fold, Sarkhel said she joined the party as she was attracted by its policies and leadership. She pledged to work for the welfare of the local people under able guidance of BJD president.
It may be noted that Sarkhel is the wife of Bapi Sarkhel, a prominent Congress leader of Paradip Assembly constituency.
