BERHAMPUR: Veteran Communist leader Nityananda Pradhan with his 270 followers today joined BJD at a public meeting at Sheragada here in the presence of BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Pradhan recently resigned from CPI.
Pradhan reached the meeting place in a grand procession and was garlanded by Naveen. Energy Minister Suryanarayan Patro and BJD MLAs were present.
Reposition of confidence on BJD by the local leaders will expedite the development process in the area, said Naveen after greeting Pradhan. He said all possible measures will be taken to meet the aspirations of the people of Orissa as their confidence on the State Government is increasing.
Pradhan said while he was in CPI, he worked with Biju babu and Naveen. Now he is pledging his support for the development of the area. He said though Ganjam is an agrarian district and having irrigation sources, but it needs immediate intervention. He urged Naveen to initiate measures to sort out the problems particularly those in the irrigation sector. Amid tight security Naveen landed at KSUB college ground in Bhanjanagar and inaugurated LNP library at KSUB college, Ranchi-Vijayawada corridor at bypass chowk, a new office building of R&B division, a special ward at sub-divisional hospital and a community centre at police barrack before leaving for Bhanjanagar. Later he laid foundation stone for a bridge over river Badanadi at G.Nuagaon chowk, distributed agricultural implements and cycles to farmers and students, monetary assistance to SHGs and aids to differently-abled persons. He also inaugurated RMC market yard at Sheragada, a labour room at ANM centre at Saru, MPCC building at Kanchuru, additional classrooms of Godarapalli UP School and laid foundation stone for renovation of Hatiabandha at Durubandh.