Kalahandi royals join BJP

The rajah of the old princely state of Kalahandi Udit Pratap Deo and his queen Padma Manjari Devi today joined the BJP.

The royal couple joined the saffron party at the BJP state headquarters here.

They were welcomed into the party by several senior leaders and party supporters.The BJD on March 12 had announced  Arka Keshari Deo, scion of the Kalahandi royal family as its candidate for the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat.

With Udit Pratap Deo joining the BJP, the saffron party’s standing at the husting is likely to grow stronger, observers in Bahwanipatna said.