Bhubaneswar, May 19: Hours after quitting the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), former Minister and Nimapara MLA Samir Ranjan Dash today joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dash was inducted into the saffron party fold in the presence of party president Manmohan Samal, BJP’s state election in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, Nimapara MLA candidate Pravati Parida and others at state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
"I had been a disciplined worker in the BJD for several years, but the party and its leaders didn't trust me or my organization in Nimapara. I can't continue in a party where there is a trust deficit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and style of functioning inspired me to join the BJP. I will work for the party with dedication, regardless of my position," Dash said.
Earlier this morning, Das had resigned from the primary membership of the BJD.
Notably, Dash successfully contested the Assembly polls in 2009, 2014, and 2019 from the Nimapara Assembly constituency on a BJD ticket. He has also served as the School and Mass Education Minister in Naveen Patnaik’s Cabinet.
