Dhenkanal, Apr 2: Several members of Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress party joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Tuesday in the presence of Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Former president of Odisha State Cooperative Bank, Dr Akshay Kumar Mohanty, Renowned doctor Dr Shantibhusan Panda and many workers from BJD and Congress joined the saffron party at the "Misrana Parba" (Joining Ceremony) here organised by the BJP's Dhenkanal district unit.

Union Minister and BJP's Sambalpur Lok Sabha candidate, Dharmendra Pradhan, welcomed all the leaders and their supporters to the BJP. He also thanked the new entrants of the saffron party for keeping their trust in the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the mantra of 'Sabka Sath - Sabka Vikas'.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, "The Prime Minister has been giving special priority to all aspects, aiming to make India a developed country by the next 25 years."

"The political experience and presence of the workers who have joined the BJP today will further strengthen our party organization at the grass root level including Dhenkanal district and make PM Modi more stronger in the country," he added.

In the recent past, several BJD leaders including sitting MPs and MLAs quit the CM Naveen Patnaik-led BJD and joined the BJP in the State.

Odisha will vote in the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls, which are being held simultaneously, in four phases. The polling will be held on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.

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