Bhubaneswar, Giving a boost to BJP in Odisha, BJD Nimapara MLA Sameer Ranjan Das on Sunday joined the saffron party after quitting the regional party.
BJP Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal, party's Odisha in-charge Vijay Pa Singh Tomar and other leaders welcomed Dash at the party headquarters here.
Dash had resigned from the regional organization on the very first day. The three-time MLA was upset at being denied a party ticket to contest the 2020 assembly elections.
"I have joined the BJP after losing confidence in the BJD leadership. I will ensure that BJP candidate Pravati Parida wins the elections in Nimapara assembly constituency," Dash told reporters.
Das submitted his resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Navi Patnaik informing him of his decision to quit the primary membership of the regional party.
In a video message, Dash said he has worked sincerely for the BJD since 2006, but now it seems the leadership has lost faith in him. “Therefore, I am resigning from the primary membership of the party today,” he said.
Das was elected as MLA from Nimapara assembly constituency under Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat thrice in 2009, 2014 and 2019 on BJD ticket. He also served as the Minister of School and Mass Education in the cabinet of Naveen Patnaik.
However, the regional party refused to give him the ticket this time and fielded Dilli Nayak, who recently joined the BJP, as its candidate.
Earlier, BJD MLAs Parshuram Dhada, Ramesh Chandra Sai, Arabinda Dhali Premanand Nayak and Simrani Nayak had resigned from the party. Two outgoing MPs - Bhartrihari Mahtab and Anubhav Mohanty - have also resigned from BJD ahead of the dual elections for Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly.
BJP Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal, party's Odisha in-charge Vijay Pa Singh Tomar and other leaders welcomed Dash at the party headquarters here.
Dash had resigned from the regional organization on the very first day. The three-time MLA was upset at being denied a party ticket to contest the 2020 assembly elections.
"I have joined the BJP after losing confidence in the BJD leadership. I will ensure that BJP candidate Pravati Parida wins the elections in Nimapara assembly constituency," Dash told reporters.
Das submitted his resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Navi Patnaik informing him of his decision to quit the primary membership of the regional party.
In a video message, Dash said he has worked sincerely for the BJD since 2006, but now it seems the leadership has lost faith in him. “Therefore, I am resigning from the primary membership of the party today,” he said.
Das was elected as MLA from Nimapara assembly constituency under Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat thrice in 2009, 2014 and 2019 on BJD ticket. He also served as the Minister of School and Mass Education in the cabinet of Naveen Patnaik.
However, the regional party refused to give him the ticket this time and fielded Dilli Nayak, who recently joined the BJP, as its candidate.
Earlier, BJD MLAs Parshuram Dhada, Ramesh Chandra Sai, Arabinda Dhali Premanand Nayak and Simrani Nayak had resigned from the party. Two outgoing MPs - Bhartrihari Mahtab and Anubhav Mohanty - have also resigned from BJD ahead of the dual elections for Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly.
