Bhubaneswar: Former Kalahandi MP and ex-BJD leader Arka Keshari Deo joined the BJP on Wednesday along with his wife Malvika Devi.
He joined the BJP camp here in a special function in the presence of state BJP president Manmohan Samal and Kalahandi MP Basant Panda.
Arka had joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in 2013 after the demise of his father Bikram Keshari Deo, a former BJP MP from Kalahandi.
The former MP said he joined the BJP as it is the only party which is working for the welfare of the people and development of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policies are being appreciated by one and all. “So, my supporters have suggested that I join the BJP. Considering their opinion, I have joined the BJP,” he said.
He was a BJD MP from the Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency. He was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha in 2014 on a BJD ticket.
However, the BJD had fielded former Minister Pushpendra Singhdeo in 2019 Lok Sabha polls in which BJP candidate Basant Panda was elected from the constituency.
Arka had resigned from BJD in 2019.
