Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 12:

BJP leader and former Deputy Speaker in the Odisha Assembly Ramachandra Panda today joined the BJD.

ramachandrapanda

Panda joined the BJD at the Naveen Nivas here in presence of party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Senior BJD leader Surjya Narayan Patro and Higher Education Minister Pradip Panigrahi were also present during Panda’s induction into the ruling BJD.

“BJP leader and former Deputy Speaker Ramachandra Panda today joined the BJD. I am very happy. I welcome him. With his joining our party has become stronger,” said Patnaik to reporters on the occasion.

“I was feeling uncomfortable in the BJP for the last one year. Those who had worked against me during the elections have been entrusted with leadership,” said Panda after joining the BJD.