Jharsuguda bypoll: Ex-Zilla Parishad member joins BJP in morning, returns to BJD in evening 

In politics, anything can happen at any time. As is the case with Laikera Zone-1’s former Zilla Parishad member Lokendra Rout. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the morning and in the evening, he returned to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). 

While just one day is to go for the Jharsuguda bypoll, a high drama unfolded on Sunday. Laikera Zone-1 ex-Zilla Parishad member Lokendra Rout reached a meeting of the BJP and joined the party in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other heavyweights. 

Leaving political analysts and leaders completely bemused, Rout, for reasons best known to him, changed his decision by the evening. He joined the BJD at the Laikera party office in the presence of party observers Mahendra Badhei and Romanch Ranjan Biswal. 

When asked, Rout said, “On my way to Kolabira, I came across some BJP leaders I have acquaintance with. They took me to the dais and asked me to join the party. And I joined the party on the spur of the moment. Since it was against my wish, I returned to the BJD. I will continue to work for the BJD.”

“He (Lokendra Rout) was going to Kolabira for some personal work. On the way, some of his friends met him and before he could understand anything, he was taken to the stage and garlanded. He has returned to his house. It is a matter of great happiness. We welcome him,” said Mahendra Badhei, BJD Observer.