BHUBANESWAR: Former Congress MP and now a senior leader of the BJP Gopinath Gajapati today joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Baisinga MLA Pramila Giri, who quit BJP a few days back, also joined the BJD.
Besides, several other district-level Congress leaders joined the party.
Welcoming them to the party, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dwelt on the steps taken by the State Government during the last nine years for the welfare of the people.
Reverting to his pet subject of Centre bashing, Naveen alleged that the step-motherly attitude of the UPA Government has blocked the economic development of the State.
Secretary general Damodar Rout and senior general secretary Narendra Kumar Swain were present.