Bhubaneswar: As many as 300 opera (jatra) artistes formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) at the party’s headquarters-Sankha Bhawan here today.
Among the notable opera artistes who joined the BJD are ‘Odisha Jatra Kalakar O Karmachari Sangh’ president Daitari Panda, Bapi Panda, Chaitanya Paika, Ramesh Nayak, Subash Behera, Hrushikesh Mishra, and Sibaram Panda.
“Earlier we were with the BJD, today we formally joined it,” said Daitari Panda talking to reporters after joining the BJD.
With the general elections round the corner, these artistes who have a large fan following are expected to reap rich dividends for the party.
