Former minister and Congress leader Surendra Singh Bhoi Joins BJD, Salepur Ex-MLA Prakash Behera Quits BJP

Bhubaneswar: Surendra Singh Bhoi, a prominent leader from western Odisha, officially joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during an induction ceremony held at Sankha Bhawan on Friday. Having recently parted ways with the Congress party, Bhoi received a warm welcome into the BJD from various senior party figures.

Yesterday, Surendra Singh Bhoi tendered his resignation from the Congress party along with relinquishing his position as the President of the Bolangir District Congress Committee. His resignation letter was directed to Mallikarjun Khadge, the President of the All India Congress Committee, via the OPCC President.

Surendra Singh Bhoi, who previously served as the MLA for the Titilagarh Assembly seat under the Congress banner in 2009, had a tenure of 38 years with the party. He represented Saitala as an MLA from 1995 to 2004 and later served as the Titilagarh MLA from 2009 to 2014. Additionally, he held ministerial portfolios for Forests and Environment, as well as Rural Development in the Odisha Congress government.

His decision to join the BJD is expected  to bolster the party’s presence in western Odisha.

Prakash Behera, the former Salepur MLA, has severed his ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), resigning from the party’s primary membership in anticipation of the 2024 elections in Odisha. In a letter addressed to the Odisha unit president, Manmohan Samal, Behera expressed his efforts to fulfill his responsibilities and propel the party toward achievements. However, he acknowledged his inability to meet these goals satisfactorily. Furthermore, Behera has stepped down from his position as district president. It’s worth noting that Behera transitioned from the Congress to the BJP in 2019. Despite contesting in the 2019 polls under the BJP banner, he faced defeat.