Bypolls In Odisha: Party Hopping By BJD, BJP & Congress Leaders Continues

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the by-elections in Balasore and Tirtol Assembly constituencies, party hopping continues in the three major political parties.

Raj Kishore Behera, who had earlier contested on Congress ticket from Tirtol Assembly constituency, recently joined the BJP. Ramakant Bhoi, the BJP candidate from the constituency in 2019, has also quit the party.

While some leaders from the constituency have also joined the BJD, the BJP recently organised a Mishrana Parva in Tirtol where several persons from different political parties joined the saffron party.

In a massive jolt to the BJD today, Balasore Sadar block chairman, Narayan Pradhan and 18 Samiti members quit the party to join the BJP.

In Balasore, the BJD organised a similar Mishrana Parva in presence of some of its senior leaders where former MLA of the constituency, Arun Dey along with his followers joined the ruling party.

Joining of Dey and his followers has strengthened the party in Balasore, said BJD MLA and Minister Pratap Jena while speaking to the media on the sideline of its Mishrana Parva.

The bypolls have once again heated up Odisha politics. Heavyweight leaders of the BJP, BJD and Congress as well, have began their 'show of strength' to woo voters.

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi said, "I was continuously in touch with people during my stay at Delhi. I am sure we will win the Tirtol Assembly seat."

"We are fully prepared for the bypoll," said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president, Niranjan Patnaik.

However, all the three parties are yet to announce their candidates for the bypoll.