Bhubaneshwar, Mar 28: Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who announced his resignation from the primary membership of the BJD earlier this week, will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, sources said.

According to the sources, Mahtab may contest the Lok Sabha polls from Cuttack.

While announcing his resignation earlier, Mahtab, who has represented the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency for six consecutive terms, stated, "I have sent my resignation letter to BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at 4 pm today.

The parliamentarian was awarded the 'Sansad Ratna' for four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020 for his outstanding performance in Parliament debates.

He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1998 from Cuttack. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. He retained the seat for BJD in 2019.

(ANI)

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