"Bhimsen Choudhury has joined as an associate member of our party. I welcome his decision to be with us and work for party," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Jaydev Jena told PTI over phone.
Stating that Choudhury was earlier in Congress long back, Jena said the Bonai legislator joined the party this morning in Delhi where he, senior party leader and union minister Srikant Jena and newly-elected Rajya Sabha member Ranjib Biswal were present.
Both Jaydev and Srikant Jena expressed the hope that Choudhury's entry would play a significant role in strengthening the party in tribal dominated Sundargarh and neighbouring areas.
Political observers said Choudhury's joining Congress was expected as it was known that he had voted for Congress candidate Ranjib Biswal in 2010 Rajya Sabha polls after which he was suspended for violation of party whip.
Though Bhimsen was once considered a protege of BJP national vice-president Jual Oram, differences cropped up between them after he won Bonai seat in 2009.