BJP Strengthens as Ex-Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Mahanta Joins

Former Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Mahanta has shifted from BJD to BJP, with more BJD members expected to follow. BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty asserts the party's welcoming stance while BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das downplays the shift, calling it poaching. Mahanta emphasizes public welfare as her main goal.

In a significant political move, former Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Mahanta has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after leaving the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Mamata Mahanta's switch marks a crucial gain for the BJP, with BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty revealing that more BJD members are expected to join soon. 'We will welcome them all,' said Mohanty, indicating that many BJD leaders are currently in touch with the BJP.

Reacting to this development, BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das noted that Mahanta's departure would not significantly impact the party. 'Ours is a big party. One person leaving will not affect our strength. People come and go. Mahanta was in touch with the BJP, and they poached her,' said Das. He also criticized the BJP for trying to lure members from other parties despite being in power in the state.

Mamata Mahanta officially joined the BJP on August 1, a day after resigning from the BJD. In her statement, Mahanta emphasized that her primary focus is the service and welfare of the people, which she believes can only be achieved through the BJP. Her switch comes after the BJD's poor performance in the last Lok Sabha elections, where the party failed to secure any of the 21 seats while the BJP won 20 seats. In Odisha's state assembly elections, the BJD managed to win 51 out of 147 seats, whereas the BJP secured a majority with 78 seats, thereby ending BJD's 24-year rule under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

(With inputs from agencies.)