Odisha Polls: Senior BJD Leader Asit Patnaik Joins Congress

Bhubaneswar: Senior leader of BJD and vice-president of its Bhadrak district unit Asit Patnaik along with his supporters joined Congress on Thursday.

Patnaik, accompanied by several former sarpanchs, samiti members and zilla parishad members, came to Congress Bhawan, the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar on the day.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Patnaik and other senior leaders of the party including Niranjan Patnaik and Bhakta Charan Das welcomed them to the party.

Speaking to the media, OPCC president said Asit Patnaik will not strengthen the party organisation in Bhadrak district but also the entire state. It is an indication of Congress’ bright chances in the elections to form government in Odisha, he added.

Asit, on his part, said BJD and BJP have joined hands to deceive the people of the state. They have fielded the candidates for Lok Sabha and Assembly seats with mutual understanding to hoodwink the innocent voters, he added.

“I am very happy that I have returned to my own party. Congress is the only party that can ensure development of the state,” he said.