Former BJD MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal Joins BJP in Major Political Shift

Bhubaneswar: In a significant political development ahead of the evolving political landscape in Odisha, former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, marking the end of his long association with the regional outfit.

Biswal was inducted into the BJP at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, and several senior leaders of the party.

The induction witnessed a massive show of support as thousands of Biswal’s followers accompanied him in a grand procession from Master Canteen Square to the BJP office in Unit-III. The rally, attended by more than 10,000 supporters, saw enthusiastic party workers waving BJP flags and raising slogans as they welcomed the veteran leader into the saffron fold.

Earlier in the day, Biswal’s residence at Mahanadi Vihar in Cuttack turned into a hub of political activity, with supporters gathering in large numbers to express solidarity. The area was adorned with banners featuring Biswal’s photographs alongside BJP symbols, reflecting the excitement surrounding his move.

A former legislator from the Choudwar-Cuttack Assembly constituency, Biswal has remained an influential political figure in the Cuttack region for many years. His decision to join the BJP is expected to bolster the party’s organisational network and strengthen its political presence in coastal Odisha.

Political observers view Biswal’s entry into the BJP as a notable development that could have an impact on the state’s political equations, particularly in the Cuttack district, where he continues to command considerable support.