In a setback to the BJD ahead of Rourkela Municipality election, a sitting councillor of the party Samar Priya Tanti joined BJP in presence of senior BJP leader Dilip Ray on Sunday.
Tanti accused the local BJD leaders of neglecting him and alleged that factionalism was rising in the party. On his decision to join BJP, he said the leadership of Dilip and discipline among workers attracted him towards the party.
Panposh unit president of BJP Dhiren Senapati said Tanti, councillor of Ward 10 along with his supporters joined BJP. Another youth leader Keshav Xalxo of Railway colony also joined the party, he added.
Rourkela unit president of BJD AC Mohanty said he was unaware of the development.
On the other hand, JMM’s Birmitrapur unit vice-president and former Kuanrmunda block chairman Charles Xalxo and his supporters joined BJD on Sunday.