Bhubaneswar: Arabinda Mohapatra, the son of former minister and senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, has joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha. The momentous occasion took place in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo, Naveen Patnaik, at Naveen Niwas.
Arabinda Mohapatra has been actively involved in the political landscape of the Patkura Assembly constituency in Kendrapara district over the past two years. His decision to join the BJD marks a notable shift in alliances and is expected to have implications on the upcoming elections.
Arabinda’s father, Bijoy Mohapatra, boasts a distinguished political career, having been elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Patkura constituency on four occasions – in 1980, 1985, 1990, and 1995. He held significant ministerial positions during his tenure, particularly during the Biju Patnaik government in the early 1990s. Bijoy Mohapatra is also recognized as a founding member of the BJD, making Arabinda’s move to join the ruling party all the more noteworthy.
The decision by Arabinda Mohapatra to align with the BJD underlines the evolving dynamics within the state’s political arena. As preparations for the upcoming elections gather momentum, this development is likely to influence strategies and alliances formed by various political parties in Odisha.
