This is Jay Panda's first statement as a BJP leader

After months of speculations of the former BJD leader Baijayant Panda joining the BJP, the former Lok Sabha MP has finally joined the party.

Baijayant Jay Panda joined the BJP in presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi on Monday.

Soon after his admission to the party, he tweeted his first post as the BJP leader. Here is what it says:

"Nine months of introspection & widespread consultations w/colleagues & public. Grateful for support received from all over. On auspicious #MahaShivratri I've decided to join @BJP4India & work under the leadership of @narendramodi Ji to serve Odisha & India to the best of my ability."

Panda also met  BJP president Amit Shah, and Dharmendra Pradhan and Arun Singh.

READ | "Nation Would Be Rent Asunder If Anything Happens", Says A Shocked Jay Panda On The Plot To Assassinate PM Modi

In an interview to Republic TV Editor-In-Chief Arnab Goswami in June 2018 after he quit BJD, he had spoken about supporting BJP and PM Narendra Modi's leadership. Despite being in the opposition, Panda has been a vocal supporter of the BJP and the policies of the Centre under PM Modi's leadership.

"I did support PM Narendra Modi in demonetisation, so did BJD and party chief Biju Patnaik... I have been a supporter of GST for 18 years since I have been in the Parliament, I have been supporter  of doing away with the VIP culture for well over a decade for at least a dozen years, I am glad it happened I would have been glad even if it had happned under any other PM," he said.

WATCH: As Jay Panda Gets All Set To Join BJP, Here's What He Had Said To Republic TV's Arnab Goswami In June 2018