27 BJD legislators likely to join BJP: Aska MLA Saroj Padhi

Around 27 legislators of the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) may join the ruling party soon. In an explosive statement, Aska MLA Saroj Kumar Padhi said this on Tuesday.

“I have information that at least 27 BJD MLAs will join BJP. The Opposition leaders are on their toes to change the party. However, the BJP will take a final call in this regard and choose whom to take and whom not. We will welcome whoever comes to our party. The party may later decide to give them different positions,” the MLA expressed.

However, no comments were received from the BJD in this regard.

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It is pertinent to mention that BJD parliamentarian Munna Khan created uproar in Odisha politics nearly a week ago after he claimed that the previous Naveen Patnaik-led government would be back in power very soon. The senior BJD leader launched a blistering attack on the saffron party, saying it is just a whistle away from crumbling.

Attending a ‘Jansampark Padyatra’ in Nabarangpur, Munna Khan also made the tall claim that 14 BJP MLAs are in touch with BJD and can help them topple the BJP government.

“Before the last General Elections, at least 22 of our party leaders left BJD and joined BJP. Now, they have become MLAs. Out of the 22, at least 14 are in touch with us. Very soon, they will leave the saffron camp and rejoin us. Hence, we will form the government again,” the MP had said.