BJP gains ground in Cuttack as more than 10 sarpanches and BJD workers join party

In a significant political development ahead of the panchayat elections, District Council Member Pradipta Mahali from Cuttack Sadar Assembly constituency joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, along with more than 10 sarpanches and hundreds of workers from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The induction took place at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar in the presence of state president Manmohan Samal, Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Sethi and other senior party leaders.

Addressing the gathering, Samal said the mass joining would strengthen the party’s organisational base in Cuttack and boost its prospects in the upcoming panchayat polls.

MLA Prakash Sethi claimed that a majority of sarpanches in the area were aligning with the BJP. “We will work to take government schemes to the grassroots and better understand people’s problems. We are confident of winning all Zilla Parishad seats and sarpanch posts in the next panchayat elections,” he said.

Explaining his decision, Mahali said he was inspired by the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. “Earlier, we were unable to approach the previous government with people’s issues. Under the present government, grievances are being heard directly. That motivated me to join the BJP,” he said.

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The development is expected to impact local political equations in Cuttack Sadar, with the BJP aiming to consolidate its grassroots presence ahead of the polls.