Argus News - Breaking News: Day After Quitting BJD, Former Balasore MP Rabindra Jena Joins BJP

Bhubaneswar, Mar 11: In a significant political development in Odisha, former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, a day after resigning from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Jena, along with his hundreds of supporters, joined the saffron party at a Mishrana Paraba (Joining programme) held at party's State headquarters in Bhubaneswar, in the presence of State BJP president Manmohan Samal and several senior party leaders.

Speaking at the Mishrana Parba, Samal welcomed former MP Jena and his supporters to the party fold. He said, the joining of a prominent leader like Jena's stature will certainly strengthen the party in the state and particularly in Balasore district.

Addressing the gathering, Jena launched a sharp attack on the BJD, accusing it of lacking a succession plan and failing to provide effective governance. He alleged that party chief Naveen Patnaik was not serious about running the organization, describing the BJD as “directionless and doomed without an heir.”

Jena’s resignation from the BJD on Tuesday, citing “personal reasons and circumstances,” has stirred political discussions across the state. Once considered a strong BJD leader in Balasore, Jena was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha in 2014 but lost to BJP’s Pratap Sarangi in the 2019 general elections. His exit is being viewed as a setback for the BJD’s local leadership base.

Also Read: Ex-MP Rabindra Jena Quits BJD; His wife Subasini’s Rajya Sabha Stand Remains Unclear

Attention has now shifted to Jena’s wife, Subasini Jena, the sitting MLA from Basta constituency in Balasore district. Elected in the 2024 Assembly polls, she has yet to clarify her position in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, where a BJD-backed candidate is contesting. Her silence has fueled speculation about possible cross-voting, with observers noting that her decision could influence the internal balance of the BJD.

The twin developments underline the shifting political currents in Odisha as the state prepares for crucial parliamentary and assembly battles. Jena’s move to the BJP signals a realignment of forces in Balasore and beyond, with implications for the BJD’s organizational strength in the months ahead.