In an apparent bid to boost his secular image ahead of elections, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today welcomed a group of Christian leaders into the ruling BJD.
"I am delighted that some Christian leaders including Father Dibakar Parichha have joined the BJD. They will be tremendous help for the party," Patnaik told reporters after receiving the minority leaders at Naveen Niwas.
Sasmit Patra of Odisha Minority Forum was along the several Christian leaders who are said to work for the ruling party in the coming elections.
Sources said most of the Christian leaders who joined the BJD today work in communally sensitive Kandhamal district. Though the leaders of opposition Congress and BJP have earlier joined the BJD, this is for the first time that leaders of any religious group threw their support behind any political party.
Among the politicians who joined the BJD today are former OPCC secretary Bharati Das and former OPCC spokesperson Ashok Samal. Both had resigned from the Congress yesterday, Swarupanand Patra of the OJM and music director Prem Anand also joined the BJD.
