BJD targets BJP over induction of former MLA Pravat Biswal

Bhubaneswar, July 12 (IANS) After the induction of former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Pravat Ranjan Biswal into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, the BJD has targeted the ruling party in Odisha, alleging that instead of returning money to chit fund depositors as promised, the BJP had inducted one of the accused in the multi‑crore chit fund scam into its ranks.

Addressing a press conference at the BJD headquarters here, party spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty claimed that the development would have no impact on the party.

Mohanty said that BJD had denied Biswal a ticket after he was named as an accused in the chit fund case.

He added that Biswal was expelled from the party a few months ago for indiscipline.

“After Pravat Biswal was named as accused in the chit fund case, the BJD did not give him a ticket. A few months ago, he was expelled from the party due to his indisciplined conduct. He has now joined the BJP. This will have no impact on the BJD,” Mohanty said.

The senior BJD leader also alleged that during the last Assembly election, the BJP had promised that if it came to power, it would return money to chit fund depositors within eighteen months.

“But instead of returning the money, it is now inducting a leader accused in the chit fund scam into its party. This is a mockery of the lakhs of chit fund depositors of Odisha. It reflects the moral values of the BJP,” Mohanty said.

Earlier on Sunday, Biswal, a three-time MLA, along with his supporters reached the state BJP office in a rally and joined the ruling BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and party’s state unit President Manmohan Samal.

Welcoming the new entrants into the BJP, Chief Minister Majhi said that Biswal inspired by the BJP’s policies, ideology and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the BJP.

The Chief Minister said Biswal’s induction into the BJP would strengthen the party organisation not only in the Choudwar Assembly constituency but across Kataka district.

He also added that people no longer want the BJD.

–IANS

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