Bhubaneswar: Odia actress Zeena Samal joined Biju Janata Dal hours after she quit the BJP on Friday. According to reports, the actress decided to quit the BJP after she was denied a ticket for the upcoming Assembly polls in Odisha. She was aspiring to be the BJP nominee for the Bhograi Assembly seat.
Zeena joined the regional party in the presence of Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra at the Sankha Bhaban in Bhubaneswar. The actress said that she was joining the BJD for its respect towards women. Zeena said that she was inspired by the principles of Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik and thanked the latter for welcoming her into the party.
Zeena was an aspirant for the BJP ticket for the Bhogarai Assembly seat and when the saffron party nominated Asish Patra for the seat, the actress decided to part ways with the party.
Zeena and her husband Rudra Panigrahi joined the saffron party in March 2023 in the presence of BJP Lok Sabha member Pratap Sarangi.
