Party hopping continues in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With close of nomination for the April 17 second phase of polling, party hopping continued in Odisha today with former BJD MLA Jyotirindra Nath Mitra of Khurda joining BJP and senior leader Arun Dey quit the ruling party.

Mitra, a two-time MLA, was welcomed by BJP. "I have joined BJP after being inspired by Narendra Modi's popularity.

I have no pre-condition before joining BJP," Mitra said.

Mitra, sources said, joined BJP as the saffron party was yet to announce candidates for two Lok sabha and 29 assembly segments including Khurda assembly constituency.

Mitra, who was elected from Khurda assembly segment as an independent MLA in 2000 and again as a BJD candidate in 2004, could not contest 2009 polls as BJD candidate as the seat went to CPI-M. He was denied ticket this time also.

In another development, less than 10 days after joining the ruling BJD, senior leader Arun Dey severed ties with it.

He is believed to be considering the option of filing nomination for Balasore Sadar Assembly constituency tomorrow, sources said, adding Dey will be an independent candidate.

Dey had contested against Congress leader Srikant Jena in Balasore Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 as NCP candidate.

Odisha Janmorcha (OJM)'s youth wing President Sidheswari Prasad Mishra also joined the Congress.