Bhubaneswar: Senior politician and former Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party’s national headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday.
He joined the BJP in the presence of senior leaders including BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal and Odisha BJP in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar. He was later felicitated by BJP National President Nitin Nabin in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other senior leaders.
Just a day earlier, on Monday, Samantaray resigned from the primary membership of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and also submitted his resignation as a Rajya Sabha MP to the Chairman of the Upper House.
Once considered a close confidant and one of the most trusted lieutenants of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Samantaray’s decision to quit the BJD and join the BJP marks a significant political development in Odisha. His formal induction into the BJP comes amid growing political realignments in the state ahead of future electoral battles.
Further details about his new role in the party are expected to be announced soon.
