Senior Odisha Journalist Ardhendu Das Likely To Join BJP Today

Bhubaneswar: Senior journalist Ardhendu Das is likely to join the BJP during a programme at its party office in Odisha capital on Thursday. 

The editor of a news channel had grabbed headlines in June 2022 following his arrest by Economic Offences Wing of the Odisha Crime Branch for allegedly cheating a Delhi-based businessman of about Rs 1 crore. He was released from jail  two months later with the Orissa High Court granting him conditional bail in the case.

Also Read: Odisha Journalist Ardhendu Das, Accused Of Cheating, Arrested By EOW; Check Details

Notably, Odisha is one of the focus states for the central leadership of BJP in the 2024 elections and the state unit has been tasked to improve its vote share to 51 per cent. Senior national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are expected to visit the state to strengthen the organisation and boost the morale of the party workers.

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi May Visit Odisha In February First Week

The BJP had received 38.4 per cent of the total votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha election against 21.9 per cent in the 2014 election. In the Assembly election, the party had obtained 32.5 per cent of total vote share in 2019 against 18.2 per cent in 2014.