Bhubaneswar, June 1 -- Former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Rudra Narayan Samantaray on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with several supporters at the party's state headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The move is expected to strengthen the BJP's organisational presence in the Bhubaneswar parliamentary constituency and Khordha district ahead of the upcoming elections.

The induction programme was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi. Several youth leaders and local political workers also joined the saffron party during the event.

Welcoming the new entrants, MP Aparajita Sarangi said the induction would further strengthen the party's grassroots network and help the BJP prep...