Lok Sabha elections: Former BJD MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab, Sidhant Mohapatra join BJP

NEW DELHI: Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab and Sidhant Mohapatra have joined BJP in Delhi on Thursday.

Accusing Naveen Patnaik-led BJD of deviating from its vision, Mahtab resigned last Friday (March 21). "There is a limit to one's patience," he had said at the time. That day, BJP had also announced that it will not enter into any alliance with the BJD for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Siddhant Mahopatra, an Odia film hero was a BJD MP from Berhampur.

In the recent past, several BJD leaders have quit the party for the BJP. Among those who resigned was close relative of BJD organising secretary PP Das and popular Odia actor Arindam Roy.

Jayadev MLA Arabinda Dhali also quit BJD for BJP on March 3 along with former MLA from Malkangiri Mukunda Sodi, former leader from Digapahandi in Ganjam district Bipin Chandra Pradhan, and other political leaders along with their supporters from Bhadrak, Nayagarh and other districts.

Another BJD senior tribal leader and former minister Balabhadra Majhi alleged that he was neglected and sidelined for the last five years and joined Congress.

(With inputs from agencies)