Former Odisha MP Jayaram Pangi joins BJP

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 9:

Former Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi, who was suspended from BJD in March this year, formally joined BJP at the saffron party’s state headquarters here today.

Pangi and hundreds of his supporters joined BJP in the presence of party leader Dharmendra Pradhan and senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan.

“I have not set any terms and conditions before BJP for joining the party. My position will be decided by the party,” Pangi said.

“I was a disciplined worker in BJD and never indulged in anti-party activities. I wonder why I was suspended from the party,” he said.

“The BJD is doing exactly the opposite of what Biju Babu (Biju Patnaik) dreamt about Odisha,” he added.

Reacting over the inclusion of Pangi in BJP, BJD spokesman Rabi Narayan Nanda said, “It will not make any difference to the party. Several tribal leaders from Koraput have joined us. Jayram Pangi was working for other parties while he was in BJD.”

“Pangi will repent in future for leaving BJD,” Nanda said.

It may be recalled here that Pangi was suspended from the BJD by party president Naveen Patnaik on charges of anti-party activities.