Former BJD MLA Sunanda Das Joins BJP

Bhubaneswar, Nov 6: Notable politician and former Biju Janata Dal Rajya Sabha member Sunanda Das has joined Bharatiya Janata Party, Wednesday.

Her husband, Debendra Kumar Das, too joined the Saffron party. The couple joined BJP in the presence of Manmohan Samal, President, BJP Odisha.

A few days ago, Sunanda had quit BJD complaining over the leadership, party members activities as well as their treatment towards her.

It was not a surprise though -- her move to BJP -- as she was widely speculated to join the Saffron party after quitting the Naveen Patnaik-led party.

Sunanda Das became the first woman to be elected as MLA from Bari Assembly constituency in Jajpur district.

She is a former BJP block chairperson and also the fourth woman in the Jajpur district to be elected as a legislator.

As per reports, Sunanda was upset with her party colleagues' treatment after she replaced Debasish Nayak as the BJD candidate for the Bari Assembly seat. Debasish Nayak was elected from Bari Assembly segment four times in a row since 2000.

She reportedly had to face resentment of the BJD workers in the area after getting the ticket. Some reports then had also claimed that some party workers tried to ensure Sunanda’s defeat from the constituency.