Bhubaneswar: In a set back to the Congress party, especially in Jharsuguda Assembly constituency, two brothers of veteran Congress leader and former chief minister of Odisha Hemananda Biswal joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today along with his supporters at Naveen Niwas here.
BJD supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik welcomed them to the party and expressed hope that the joining of new members will strengthen the regional party.
"Sri Khirod Chandra Biswal and Sri Bihari Chandra Biswal, brothers of Sri Hemananda Biswal, ex-chief minister, along with their 60 followers of Congress party from Jharsuguda assembly constituency have joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today. Their joining will strengthen the party. I welcome them", said CM Naveen Patnaik.
The brothers of the top Congress leader decided to work of the ruling party after losing trust on Congress. However, both the newly joined BJD members clarified that they will continue to support Hemananda as a brother.
"Inspired by the ideology of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, we will work for him. But, we will continue to support Hemananda Biswal as a brother. We expressed anguish over the activities of Congress in Jharsuguda and apparently lost trust on the party", Bihari Biswal said.
Similarly, Khirod Biswal said the peace in the family will not be affected by their joining.
"We have been maintaining a healthy family life. There is question of arising any conflict in our family after our joining. Elder brother Hemanand Biswal is a state-level leader. He will do politics on his own style. But, we will work for BJD", Khirod chandra Biswal.