Former Khurda MLA Jyotirindra Nath Mitra rejoins ruling BJD

Senior BJP leader and former MLA from Khurda, Jyotirindra Nath Mitra, Monday joined the ruling BJD, party sources said. The two-rime MLA, popularly known as Jitu Mitra, had quit the BJD in 2014 after being denied a party ticket. He then switched over to the BJP and contested the Assembly elections unsuccessfully, they said.

Mitra returned to the BJD's fold on Monday in the presence of party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here. Mitra, who was elected to the 12th Assembly as an independent candidate and later on a BJD ticket, said: "This is like homecoming for me. Myself and sitting MLA Rajendra Sahu, will work together to strengthen the BJD". "I am glad that Jitu Mitra returned to the party. I welcome him and his supporters to the party. His joining will strengthen the BJD," Patnaik said.

(With inputs from agencies.)