New Delhi, May 26: Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal on Tuesday welcomed former BJD MP Debashish Samantray into the Bharatiya Janata Party, stating that his induction would further boost the party’s organisational strength in the state.

Speaking to ANI in Delhi, Samal praised Samantray’s long political experience and strong background in public life.

“The party will get further strengthened because he is an experienced leader. He has been an MLA three times and has been active in politics for a long time. His entire family has been associated with politics, so his joining has strengthened the BJP,” Samal said.

Earlier in the day, Samantray met BJP national president Nitin Nabin shortly after formally joining the party. During the meeting, he was felicitated in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Manmohan Samal and other senior BJP leaders.

A day after resigning from the Biju Janata Dal, Samantray said he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his leadership.

“I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Inspired by his programmes and personality, I am joining the BJP today. I have a lot of work to do for the BJP in Odisha and will try to strengthen the party,” Samantray said after joining the BJP.

Meanwhile, the BJD strongly criticised Samantray’s decision, accusing the Rajya Sabha MP of placing “business interests over party expectations” and shifting to the BJP for personal reasons.

Expressing disappointment, the party highlighted the opportunities and responsibilities given to Samantray over the years, including a fifth-time ticket, his appointment as Chairman of OTDC, and several organisational roles. The BJD alleged that he had benefited from the party’s support before resigning to “pursue his own interests.”

The development comes a day after Samantray resigned from the primary membership of the BJD. In his resignation letter addressed to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, he thanked the party leadership for nominating him to the Rajya Sabha and giving him the opportunity to serve the people of the undivided Cuttack district while raising Odisha-related issues at the national level.