Bhubaneswar, March 7 -- Arabinda Mohapatra, son of former Odisha minister Bijoy Mohapatra on Thursday joined Biju Janata Dal in the presence of party president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

VK Pandian, Chairman 5T was also present on the occasion.

Arabinda Mohapatra's father Bijoy Mohapatra was a minister in the Biju Patnaik government. Later he founded Odisha Gana Parishad in 2001 which was subsequently merged with NCP. Bijoy Mohapatra later joined the BJP.

Earlier, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) held an extensive discussion with senior leaders of the party on the strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.

"An extensive discussion was held under the leadership of BJD President and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik ...