Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, senior BJD leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
Patnaik was welcomed to the party fold in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, and BJP State president Manmohan Samal, along with other senior leaders.
The joining ceremony marks a significant shift in Patnaik’s political career, who had been a prominent face in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) before joining the BJP. With this development, Patnaik is set to play a key role in the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Odisha.
After joining the BJP, Patnaik said that he was inspired by the ideology of the BJP and the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a developed India. “I am impressed whenever I hear Modi’s speech in Parliament. I am inspired by his commitment to take India forward. Today, the country has gained a special place in the globe thanks to PM Narendra Modi,” Amar Patnaik said.
He further added, “I left my job to join politics to serve the people of the state. Now, I aim to serve the state and join nation-building. I will do whatever responsibility the party gives me.”
Patnaik had joined the BJD in 2018 while the regional party was in power in the State. Subsequently, he became the Rajya Sabha MP and chairperson of the BJD IT cell. He had also served the BJD as the national spokesperson.
