Subhashree Panda, wife of wanted Maoist Sabyasachi Panda, today joined Ama Odisha Party along with over 100 of her women supporters.
Subhashree, who was set free from jail in 2012, said she would like to contest the ensuing assembly elections from Ranpur segment in Nayagarh district.
She was arrested and jailed for two years for her alleged links with the out-lawed CPI-Maoist party but was subsequently acquitted of the charges in 2012.
Sabyasachi's father and Subhshree's father-in-law Ramesh Panda had represented the Ranpur assembly constituency thrice on the CPM ticket.
She has already floated a Ranpur-based outfit Janamanch Odisha after being out of the jail. Above 100 women supporters of Subhshree also joined Ama Odisha Party along with her.
Welcoming Subhshree into Ama Odisha Party fold, Patnaik, who is also the son-in-law of Assam Governor J B Patnaik, said: "Subhshree is a capable leader and her joining will strengthen the party."
He said AOP will field candidates in all the 21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly seats in Odisha. If nominated to fight from Ranpur seat by the AOP leadership, Subhashree will face BJP candidate and former minister Surama Padhi.