Bhubaneswar: In a major boost for ruling BJD ahead of elections, senior leader and known face in Odisha politics Chiranjib Biswal today joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) here.
Shri Biswal along with his large number of supporters formally joined the ruling party in presence of general secretary Manas Mangaraj, national spokesperson Sasmit Patra here at Sankha Bhawan.
Welcoming Shri Biswal into the party fold, Shri Mangaraj said he will have a bright future in the BJD. His joining will further strengthen the party base in Jagatsinghpur district, he said.
Speaking on this occasion, Shri Biswal said he has joined the BJD without having any ambition. He joined the ruling party inspired by the pro-people works done for farmers, women, youth and rural poor by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the last 25 years.
“I will work as a small worker in the BJD and whatever assignment or instruction will be given by the party high command, I will follow it,” the former MLA said.
He thanked BJD President and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Organisational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das and General Secretary Mangaraj for welcoming him.
Shri Biswal represented Tirtol constituency in the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2004 and later won from Jagatsinghpur in 2014 on Congress ticket.
He also served as Working President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC).
A suave and humble mass leader Shri Biswal, son of Congress stalwart Basant Kumar Biswal, had recently resigned from Congress.
Shri Biswal has his hold in Jagatsinghpur, Balikuda-Erasama, Tirtol, and Paradip Assembly constituencies.
Very recently, the wife of trade union leader Bapi Sarkhel had joined the BJD, further strengthening the party’s position in both Balikuda-Erasama and Paradip constituencies.
At the same time, Congress became very weak in the district.
Shri Biswal’s entry into BJD will greatly benefit the Regional Political Outfit in a big way in Coastal Odisha, said an insider in BJD.
