BJD MLA Arabinda Dhali Rejoins BJP

Bhubaneswar: In a significant political development, Arabinda Dhali, the incumbent MLA representing the Jayadev assembly constituency, along with Mukunda Sodi, former MLA of Malkangiri, formally joined the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The occasion was marked by their induction into the party amidst the presence of key BJP figures including the election in-charge, co-in-charge, and other eminent leaders.

Arabinda Dhali’s departure from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was announced yesterday, signaling a pivotal shift in his political allegiance. His decision to resign from the BJD, a party he had been associated with, underscores the evolving dynamics within Odisha’s political landscape. Dhali’s journey in politics traces back to 1992 when he secured his first electoral victory in a by-election from the Malkangiri constituency under the BJP banner. His subsequent electoral triumphs culminated in his current role as the MLA representing Jayadev Assembly constituency.

Meanwhile, Mukunda Sodi’s decision to sever ties with the BJD resonated with Dhali’s departure, as he tendered his resignation from the regional party earlier today. Sodi, a prominent tribal leader, cited negligence and a perceived lack of respect within the BJD ranks as compelling reasons for his exit. His political trajectory saw him ascend to the position of MLA from the Malkangiri constituency in 2009, initially under the banner of the BJD. However, his relationship with the party encountered turbulence, marked notably by his denial of a party ticket in 2014. Despite contesting again in 2019 on a BJD ticket, his electoral fortunes waned, resulting in a loss to the BJP candidate.

Sodi’s formal resignation, conveyed through a letter addressed to the BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, signifies a definitive break from his erstwhile political affiliation. Both Dhali and Sodi’s transition to the BJP not only underscores the party’s growing influence but also heralds a paradigm shift in Odisha’s political landscape.