From BJD to BJP: Debashish Samantaray's Political Shift

Debashish Samantaray, a former Rajya Sabha member representing the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. Samantaray expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and pledged to strengthen the BJP's presence in Odisha.

In a ceremony attended by senior BJP leaders, Samantaray thanked Modi for his support and outlined his commitment to furthering the PM's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). This political move came in the wake of his resignation from the BJD, where he felt systematically undermined.

The BJP welcomed Samantaray, highlighting the continuous growth of the party under Modi's leadership. Leaders noted Samantaray's potential contributions to BJP's objectives in Odisha and in the Rajya Sabha, leveraging his grassroots experience and past roles, including his leadership in Odisha's tourism and cultural sectors.

(With inputs from agencies.)