Former BJD MP Rabindra Kumar Jena Joins BJP

Bhubaneswar: A day after resigning from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), senior leader and former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday in the presence of state party president Manmohan Samal and other senior leaders.

Jena, along with several of his supporters—including the Basta block chairperson and the Balasore Sadar chairperson—formally joined the BJP at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar. State BJP president Manmohan Samal welcomed them into the party by presenting saffron stoles and flower bouquets.

Jena had resigned from the primary membership of the BJD on Tuesday. In a letter addressed to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, the former Balasore district BJD president stated that he had worked for many years to strengthen the party organisation and served the people of the district as a disciplined party member.

However, he cited personal reasons and circumstances for his decision to leave the regional party.

Following his resignation, political circles were abuzz with speculation that Jena would soon join the BJP, which was confirmed with his formal induction into the party on Wednesday.