Blow to BJD as Party’s Senior Leader Quits Party, Joins BJP

Bhubaneswar: Veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Nimapara MLA Samir Ranjan Dash on Sunday quit his party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), dealing a blow to the regional party headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Dash was reportedly upset after he was not given a ticket by BJD to contest the 2024 elections from the Nimapara constituency. In a video statement, Dash informed about his decision to quit BJD and cited that he was forced to resign as the leaders of the party lost faith in him and also the organisation in Gop block. Prior to his joining BJP, Dash said "When the leaders do not trust you, it was not possible for me to stay and work in BJD. As I have joined the BJP now, I can confidently say that the saffron party will win with a huge margin in Nimapara." Dash further said that it had been a routine for him to work with people for almost 18 hours a day and part of several agitations and programmes in the district. “I have been working dedicatedly and will continue to serve people. Not only Nimapara but some parts of Jagatsinghpur district will also be affected by my decision. The candidates of BJP, including Prabhati Parida of Nimapara, will be benefitted" said Dash. BJD leader Ranendra Pratap Swain said, “Samir Dash was denied a party ticket because of his shortcomings. His resignation from the BJD will have no impact at all on our voters.”