Odisha Cong leaders who quit to join BJD

The senior Congress leaders from Odisha who had resigned from the party today said that they would join the ruling BJD on April 4 in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"We along with over 20,000 followers will join BJD in a public meeting at Khallikote College stadium on April 4 in the presence of the chief minister, who is also the president of the ruling party, former union minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu told reporters.

Sahu along with AICC member and PCC secretary Bikram Kumar Panda, Ganjam DCC president Bhagaban Gantayat, ten corporators of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC), several office bearers of Congress' frontal organisations had resigned from the party on Friday alleging indiscipline in the party.

"In our view, the regional party led by Naveen Patnaik stands for secularism. Moreover, the party has been fighting for protecting the interest of the state. So we have decided to join BJD," Sahu said at the press conference where several other leaders who have resigned from the Congress were also present.

"We held consultations with our well-wishers to decide the future course after resigning from the Congress. Almost all advised us to join BJD for the development of the region and in the interest of the state. We will be joining BJD giving respect to their views and to ensure development of the region as well as Berhampur city," he added.