Senior BJP leader joins BJD ahead of panchayat polls

Ahead of the three-tier panchayat polls in Odisha, senior BJP leader Ramachandra Panda today joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Panda met BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence and announced that he has joined the ruling party.

"I am delighted that BJP leader Ramachandra Panda has joined the BJD. I welcome him to our party. He will prove to be a tremendous asset to us," Patnaik told reporters here.

"I was feeling uncomfortable in the saffron party for the last one year. Those who were involved in anti-party activities during election time are now being given leadership responsibilities (in BJP)," Panda said.