Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the 2024 elections, popular Ollywood actor Manoj Mishra today joined the Congress party.

He joined the Congress in the presence of Ajay Kumar, party in-charge for Odisha, Sarat Patnaik, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President, and senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra.

"Manoj Mishra hasn't joined Congress with any expectation. However, the party will treat him respectfully and make sure that he serves the people. The decision regarding giving him ticket for the elections will be taken by the party high command," said Narasingha Mishra.

In his reaction after joining Congress, Manoj Mishra said, "Earlier, I wanted Odia cinema to reach national level. Now, I have joined Congress with a desire of Odisha's excellence at national level."

"I am here to serve the people of western Odisha who have been neglected. I didn't join BJD or BJP because the parties are in power at state and centre, respectively and I wouldn't have been able to raise the issues of my region," he said.

"I have come to serve, not to do politics. My wish is not to contest elections, but to work for the state and my region," he added.