Bhubaneswar : In a dramatic political realignment that underscores the shifting mood in Odisha’s heartland, 10 elected Sarpanch’s aligned with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Lakhanpur Block under Brajrajnagar Assembly Constituency in Jharsuguda District formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today, accompanied by a large number of grassroots workers and supporters.
The high-profile induction took place at the BJP State Headquarters in Bhubaneswar, in the esteemed presence of several Cabinet Ministers of the Odisha Government Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Shri Suresh Pujari, Law and Excise Minister Shri Prithviraj Harichandan, Commerce and Transport Minister Shri Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, and Urban Development Minister Shri Krishna Chandra Mohapatra.
The newly joined leaders were ceremonially welcomed into the BJP fold with party caps and robes, symbolizing their official acceptance and commitment to the BJP’s ideology of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.”
Describing the development as a “turning point” in Odisha’s political landscape, Minister Suresh Pujari stated: “The trust of the people of Odisha in the BJP, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is growing stronger by the day. These Sarpanch’s represent the will of the people. Their joining is not just symbolic it reflects the collapse of public confidence in the BJD and a rising wave of support for the BJP’s development agenda”. He further added that this is only the beginning, and a larger exodus of grassroots BJD leaders and workers can be expected in the near future.
The Sarpanchs who formally severed ties with the BJD and pledged allegiance to the BJP are: Ashok Kumar Seth Kandeikela Gram Panchayat, Prafulla Kumar Singh Remta Gram Panchayat, Aruna Suna Charpali Gram Panchayat (joined along with her husband Prashant Suna), Tarulata Barik Kadamdihi Gram Panchayat, Sunima Pradhan Baghamunda Gram Panchayat, Gopinath Sai Jamgaon Gram Panchayat, Susanta Naik Remenda Gram Panchayat, Shagai Seth Sarandamal Gram Panchayat, Seema Sahu Banjari Gram Panchayat (joined with her husband Radharaman Sahu), Rangadhar Dila Pipilimal Gram Panchayat.
These leaders, many of whom are highly respected and influential in their communities, cited frustration with the stagnation and neglect under BJD rule, and expressed confidence that the BJP would bring meaningful development, transparency, and good governance to their villages. Political analysts view this development as a strategic victory for the BJP, which has been steadily expanding its presence in western Odisha, a region once considered a BJD stronghold. With the induction of elected representatives from the panchayat level, the BJP is not only building organizational strength but also securing deep local connect — a crucial factor in rural electoral dynamics.
Also present at the event were BJP State Vice President Shri Biranchi Narayan Tripathy, State General Secretary Dr. Jatin Mohanty, senior leader Sharda Prasad Satpathy, State Secretary Saroj Kar, and Jharsuguda District BJP President Shri Raghunandan Panda, all of whom congratulated the new members and assured them of the party’s unwavering support.
