Former Keonjhar Congress MP Madhab Sardar along with his supporters on Wednesday joined ruling BJD which was viewed by many as a face saving attempt by the ruling party after it got a major jolt from the party councillors in the Kendujhargarh Municipality who voted against the Chairperson Meena Majhi in the no-confidence motion despite the party supremo’s whip.
Accompanied by senior BJD leader of Keonjhar district and Minister Badri Narayan Patra, Sardar and his supporters announced his decision to join the ruling party after meeting the party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Naveen Niwas. Among other Congress workers who joined the BJD were Debasis Padhy, Binayak Rao, former sarpanch Patrana Sethi, Tapan Kumar Sethi and Prasanna Kumar Sethi.
“Since Odisha has made much progress under the solid leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, I decided to join BJD with an aim to make Keonjhar one of the developed districts in the State,” Sardar told reporters. Asked about the reason for quitting Congress, Sardar said, “I felt that I am unwanted by my party leaders.” However, he expressed his gratitude to the Congress party for making an MP. Minister Patra said the ruling party would benefit a lot as Sardar enjoys immense popularity in Keonjhar.
