Padmalochan Panda joins BJP for 'development of state'

Senior Congress leader and former Odisha minister Padmalochan Panda of Balasore district formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday. Panda, a three-time MLA from Simulia assembly segment in Balasore district, had resigned from Congress on October 7. 

"There is no future either in the Congress and the BJD. Therefore, I joined the BJP for the overall development of the state," Panda said. Padmalochan Panda joined the saffron party in presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP state president Basant Panda. 

Panda was the minister of State for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development and Panchayatiraj departments from February 22, 1999, to March 5, 2000. 

Senior Congress leader Subhankar Mohapatra has also joined the BJP along with Padmalochan Panda. Welcoming Panda and Mohapatra, Pradhan said their joining will strengthen BJP in the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)