Bhubaneswar: In a major blow to the BJP, its former state vice president Raj Kishore Das on Monday evening joined the ruling BJD. Mr Das, along over 100 supporters, officially joined the BJD at an induction programme in the party headquarters, in the presence of party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Considered a heavyweight political leader in Mayurbhanj district, Mr Das had submitted his resignation from the primary membership of the BJP and renounced state vice presidency on March 23.
According to reports, he alleged that though he was a ticket aspirant for Morada constituency in the district for the upcoming Assembly polls, the lotus party had overlooked his contribution of 40 years.
Subash Chouhan, another BJP heavyweight who was denied party ticket to contest from Bargarh Lok Sabha seat, alleged that the party overlooked his claim despite the fact that he had worked hard in the last five years in the constituency and strengthened the party’s base.
Mr Chouhan alleged that he was denied party ticket as he urged Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan to contest against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bijepur.
“I was denied party ticket as I dared Pradhan to fight against the Odisha CM at Bijepur. Instead of nominating me for Bargarh Lok Sabha seat, he asked me to fight from Bijepur. I’m not going to fight the polls this time,” Mr Chouhan said, adding, he had no plans to quit the party.
