Bhubaneswar: Former Congress MLA Dushmant Naik of Kalahandi district Friday joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Accompanied by his supporters, Naik reached BJD state headquarters and joined the party formally.
“I joined the BJD for the development of my area. I am also influenced by the clean image of Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik. All my supporters have suggested me to join the BJD for the development of my constituency,” Naik told reporters.
Naik’s joining will strengthen the BJD in Kalahandi district, Patnaik said.
Naik, who was elected to the assembly on a Congress ticket from Bhawanipatna constituency, had July 11 sent his resignation letter to OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik.
Earlier, Naik had alleged that he was neglected and humiliated by some senior leaders in the party and was unhappy over affairs in the Congress.
PTI
