Bhubaneswar: The 1979 batch IPS officer, Arup Patnaik, who served as the Commissioner of Mumbai Police, joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Bhubaneswar today.
Arup joined the ruling-BJD in presence of party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
"Arup will prove to be a valuable asset for the party," said CM Naveen.
I have joined BJD as a worker of the party. I thank CM Naveen Patnaik for providing me an opportunity to work for the people of my land," Arup said.
Prior to joining the party, Arup had said today that through politics he will get an opportunity to work for the people again. It's the beginning of a new chapter of my life, he added.
When asked about contesting in 2019 general elections, the IPS officer said, "I have not yet thought about it."
Arup was the 36th Police Commissioner of Mumbai and he retired from service on September 30, 2015.
Besides being awarded with the Indian Police Medal in 1994, Arup also received the President’s Police Medal for 'Distinguished Service' in 2003.