Another Boost for BJP in Odisha ahead of Lok Sabha elections: Bijoy Mohapatra returns to the party four months after resigning

In another boost to the BJP, which is intent on making inroads in Odisha ahead of the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, long-time BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra who had resigned from the party on November 30 last year over disagreements with Amit Shah has returned to the BJP fold on Thursday morning. Mohapatra said that his return has been a result of discussion with Baijayant Jay Panda, another veteran politician in Odisha, and Arun Singh, the party's Odisha election-in charge of BJP. Incidentally, Panda joined BJP on March 4 - about eight months after leaving the BJD -  after which he was elevated to the position of National Vice President and spokesperson of the party and also given a ticket for the Lok Sabha polls.  

When asked whether he would contest elections or not, Mohapatra said, "The priority at present is to further strengthen the organisation to oust the BJD from power in the state." However, after leaving the party in November last year, Mohapatra and Dilip Ray had written a joint letter to BJP chief Amit Shah alleging they were being sidelined. Dilip Ray left the party along with Mohapatra and is still to join any party, though he is said to be in talks with the BJD leaders. 

Mohapatra is a strong face in coastal Odisha despite being away from assembly polls for nearly two decades. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Mohapatra had contested from Mahakalapada Assembly seat in Kendrapara district on a BJP ticket but lost to BJDs Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak. BJP's newly appointed Vice President Panda said that the senior leader's re-entry into BJP would act as a boost in his party's fight against ruling Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janta Dal. He also thanked Mohapatra for his comeback. 

Elections in Odisha are scheduled to be held in four phases beginning from April 11. Senior BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have already held several rallies in the state which sends 21 members to the Lok Sabha and has 147 assembly seats