Elections 2019: Former minister Raghunath Mohanty joins BJP

Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leader and former minister Raghunath Mohanty joined the BJP today at the saffron party's Odisha headquarters in Bhubaneswar.

Raghunath joined the BJP at party's Mishrana Parba in presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, party's national vice-president Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda and several other senior leaders. Raghunath is most likely to be fielded from Basta Assembly constituency by the BJP, said sources.

Addressing the supporters, Mohanty said, "I wish to strengthen the party (BJP) in the state and fight against the misgovernance of the ruling BJD in Odisha."

Mohanty had resigned from the BJD after he was denied ticket by the ruling party. He had also resigned from the chairmanship of Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation.