Bhubaneswar: Talcher Municipality Chairman Pabitra Bhutia, along with 13 Councillors and several Sarpanchs from Angul district, joined the party at its headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
The joining ceremony, dubbed ‘Mishran Parba’, was attended by State BJP President Manmohan Samal, Dhenkanal MP Rudra Narayan Pani, and other senior leaders. Samal welcomed the new members, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in building a stronger organisation and highlighting the growing trust of Odias in the BJP’s double-engine government model.
Bhutia cited neglect and lack of development under the BJD as the reason for his switch, stating that the BJP’s consistent delivery of developmental projects inspired him to join the party. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and State President Manmohan Samal for their efforts.
The entry of Bhutia and his supporters is expected to strengthen the BJP’s grassroots presence in Angul and Talcher. The new entrants include Councillors from various wards, former Councillors, Sarpanchs, social activists, lawyers, and youth leaders.
