BJD’s MLA Balabhadra Majhi joins Congress
BHAWANIPATNA: In a significant development, former BJD minister and five-time MLA Balabhadra Majhi joined the Congress during a massive rally in Bhawanipatna on Wednesday.
The rally organised as a show of strength saw participation of party bigwigs like Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar, state president Sarat Pattnaik, senior leader Bhakta Das, MLAs Taraprasad Bahinipati, Santosh Saluja and Adhiraj Panigrahi.
Majhi was accompanied by followers from various segments, including Lanjigarh and Narla.
In his address, PCC president Sarat Pattanayak accused the BJD government in Odisha of betraying the public through false promises and propaganda machinery.
“The era of unchecked bureaucracy, referred to as ‘officer raj,’ would no longer be tolerated,” he said, predicting exodus of a significant number of people from the BJD. Despite propaganda and government machinery, Congress would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections, asserted Pattanayak.
Bhakta Das welcomed Majhi to the party and said that a strong tribal leader like Majhi would give a boost to the party. He spoke on neglect and exploitation faced by tribals due to the alleged dubious policies of the state and central governments and said, “Congress’ commitment to the Nyaya Yatra of Rahul Gandhi, aims to deliver justice to the tribals, farmers, unemployed youths, and other marginalised sections.”
Odisha in-charge observer Ajoy Kumar made pointed remarks about the relationship between BJD and BJP, stating that they are in a ‘live-in relationship’ without openly admitting to it. Criticising the influence of non-Odias in key roles, he called for Odisha to be governed by and for its own people.