Bhoi made leader of Cong Legislature Party in Odisha

New Delhi: Three-time MLA Surendra Singh Bhoi was on Saturday made Leader of Congress Legislature Party in Odisha, after incumbent Bhupinder Singh quit the party, ahead of Assembly polls.

Bhoi was made Leader of the Opposition close on the heels of Bhupinder Singh joining the ruling BJD along with CLP secretary Anup Sai.

Bhoi is a three-term MLA representing Titalagarh in Bolangir district.

His name was approved by party chief Sonia Gandhi and the appointment has been made with immediate effect, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

Reports from Bhubaneshwar had it that Singh's resignation has sent shock waves in political circles in the state, the change began to be felt earlier. Kamala Das, a senior woman leader from Balasore district also quit Congress barely two days ago.

The BJD has claimed that "mass exodus" of senior leaders from the state's main opposition party is likely to continue.

Congress is in the opposition in Odisha for the last 15 years since BJD led by Naveen Patnaik ousted it from power.

Assembly polls in the state are being held along with the Lok Sabha elections.