Bhubaneswar: Former Congress MLA K Suryo Rao officially joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, marking a notable shift in his political allegiance.
Rao’s induction into the ruling BJD was attended by senior party leaders, including Sasmit Patra, underlining the importance of his entry into the fold. In his statement, Rao expressed his disappointment with the Congress, accusing the grand old party of neglecting him despite his dedicated efforts towards its development.
The former Paralakhemundi MLA’s decision to switch parties comes after his resignation from the Congress in June 2019, following his defeat in the Assembly elections.
Rao’s political journey saw him elected to the State Legislative Assembly from the Paralakhemundi constituency in 2014. However, despite his previous electoral success, he faced a setback in the 2019 elections, losing to the BJP’s K Narayana Rao.
By joining the BJD, Rao aligns himself with a party that holds significant sway in Odisha politics under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. His entry into the BJD fold is likely to bolster the party’s strength in the region and further solidify its position ahead of the upcoming electoral battles.
