New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar: Suspended BJP MLA from Bonai constituency Bhimsen Choudhury today joined Congress in Delhi in presence of Odisha PCC president Jayadev Jena, Union minister Srikant Jena and newly-elected Rajya Sabha member Ranjib Biswal . Choudhury was reportedly believed to have voted for Biswal in the recently concluded RS polls.
Reacting to media after joining Congress formally Bhimsen said, “ I was in Congress between 1974 and 1994. Later, I joined BJP. Now, I returned to my own party and have decided to work as a supporting worker of the party”.
A former BJP legislator Choudhury was suspended from the party for disobeying party whip during the last Rajya Sabha elections-2010. It is said that his serious efforts for a re-entry into the party was not possible due to obstacles created by national vice-president Jual Oram.
Bhimsen won Bonai seat in 2009 and later differences cropped up between Oram and him. After being suspended from the party, Choudhury had formed a self-styled outfit ‘Bhim Sena’ and had fielded rebel candidates for Zilla Parishad seats in 2012.
During the recently held RS polls, the Bonai legislators had clearly indicated his inclination towards Congress party saying he would prefer a ‘most suitable candidate’ for the Upper House and would act as per his conscience.
Earlier, in an exclusive interview, Ranjib Biswal had told OTV that he had a very strong social relationship with Choudhury. But he denied media speculation that whether Choudhury voted for him.