Day after Odisha MLA quits Congress, joins BJP

Behara, who had resigned from the primary membership of the Congress on Saturday, took BJP's membership here in presence of Union Minister Juel Oram and former BJD MP Baijayant Jay Panda besides Pradhan.

Panda had joined the BJP and was appointed national Vice President and Spokesperson of the party.

"I have full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Youths in my constituency are impressed with government's step of surgical strikes," Behera said after joining the BJP.

Talking to reporters, Pradhan said Behera's presence will help the BJP bring about change in Odisha under Modi's leadership.

"Welcome his decision of joining BJP to fulfill the vision of a New Odisha under the leadership of Modiji," he said.

Welcoming him in the party, Panda said: "He will add strength to our party to win this prestigious Kendrapara parliamentary seat for the first time. I look forward to working with him for the development of the area."

Salepur Assembly constituency of Cuttack district is part of Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Panda has won this seat as a Biju Janata Dal candidate.

Behera, who was for the first time elected from Salipur segment of Cuttack district in 2014, has been a Congress member for the past 20 years.