Ashok Samal, Bharati Das, Swarup Patra join BJD

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Mar 12, 2014 at 3:00 PM Updated On : Mar 12, 2014 at 9:42 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Bhubaneswar, Mar 12:

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Politicians and non-politicians continued to board the already overloaded BJD ship today. Notable among those who joined the party today are former OPCC secretary Bharati Das and former OPCC spokesperson Ashok Samal, both of whom had resigned from the Congress yesterday, Dr Swarupanand Patra of the OJM, his son Dr Sasmit Patra of the Congress, and music directors Prem Anand and Amarendra Mohanty.

Several leaders from the Christian community too joined the BJD at chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence, Naveen Niwas.

All were welcomed by BJD president Naveen Patnaik into the party.

Both Bharati Das and Ashok Samal had announced their resignations from the Congress alleging that senior leaders and party workers were being completely ignored in the party.

They had made an oblique reference to the ‘coterie’ within the party which they held responsible for the alienation of the party rank and file.