Odisha Politics / Former MLA Pravat Biswal Joins BJP With 10,000 Supporters in Bhubaneswar
·2 hours ago·2 min read
Key Points
Former BJD MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal joined the BJP in Bhubaneswar, accompanied by over 10,000 supporters, in the presence of CM Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal.
Bhubaneswar, Jul 12: Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday.
Biswal was formally inducted into the BJP in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, state BJP president Manmohan Samal and other senior party leaders. Accompanied by more than 10,000 supporters, he arrived at the party headquarters in Unit-III, Bhubaneswar, after a grand procession from Master Canteen.
High Court Orders Trial Within Six Months
Biswal's induction comes shortly after the Orissa High Court on July 2 dismissed his petition seeking to halt the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and criminal trial in the Seashore chit fund case.
While Biswal argued that the proceedings had been unduly delayed, the High Court declined to interfere and directed the Special CBI Court to complete the trial within six months to ensure its expeditious conclusion.
CBI Allegations
According to the CBI, Biswal and his wife were allegedly involved in a Rs 25 lakh land transaction linked to funds siphoned from the Seashore Group.
The CBI had alleged the payment was made through cheques and later returned in cash after the land deal was cancelled. The agency further claimed that documents were fabricated to facilitate the transaction.
Biswal faces charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery.
The CBI arrested him in 2017 in connection with the case. He was granted bail by the Orissa High Court in 2018.
In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 3.92 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of its investigation into the alleged scam.
Also Read: BJD Faces Factional Rift as Sujata’s Entry Spurs Pro- and Anti-Camps
Exit from BJD
Biswal's move to the BJP follows his expulsion from the BJD earlier this year over alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities.
The former legislator had openly opposed the Rajya Sabha candidature of Santrupt Misra, political secretary to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, during the March 16, 2026, Rajya Sabha elections, triggering disciplinary action by the regional party.
Biswal was formally inducted into the BJP in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, state BJP president Manmohan Samal and other senior party leaders. Accompanied by more than 10,000 supporters, he arrived at the party headquarters in Unit-III, Bhubaneswar, after a grand procession from Master Canteen.
High Court Orders Trial Within Six Months
Biswal's induction comes shortly after the Orissa High Court on July 2 dismissed his petition seeking to halt the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and criminal trial in the Seashore chit fund case.
While Biswal argued that the proceedings had been unduly delayed, the High Court declined to interfere and directed the Special CBI Court to complete the trial within six months to ensure its expeditious conclusion.
CBI Allegations
According to the CBI, Biswal and his wife were allegedly involved in a Rs 25 lakh land transaction linked to funds siphoned from the Seashore Group.
The CBI had alleged the payment was made through cheques and later returned in cash after the land deal was cancelled. The agency further claimed that documents were fabricated to facilitate the transaction.
Biswal faces charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery.
The CBI arrested him in 2017 in connection with the case. He was granted bail by the Orissa High Court in 2018.
In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 3.92 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of its investigation into the alleged scam.
Also Read: BJD Faces Factional Rift as Sujata’s Entry Spurs Pro- and Anti-Camps
Exit from BJD
Biswal's move to the BJP follows his expulsion from the BJD earlier this year over alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities.
The former legislator had openly opposed the Rajya Sabha candidature of Santrupt Misra, political secretary to BJD president Naveen Patnaik, during the March 16, 2026, Rajya Sabha elections, triggering disciplinary action by the regional party.
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