A day after resigning from the BJP, senior leader Subhas Chouhan Wednesday joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal.
Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik welcomed Chouhan and said his joining the BJD will further strengthen the party.
"I am glad that a senior leader of western Odisha has joined us. I welcome Sri Chouhan and his joining will further strengthen our party," Patnaik said.
"In the 'Dharma Yudh' (battle for justice), I took the side of Naveen Patnaik. He is like Mahabharat's Yudhisthira while Dharemendra Pradhan is akin to Duryodhan," said Chouhan, who severed his 30-years relationship with the BJP.
Chouhan, who was denied a BJP nomination to contest from Baragarh Lok Sabha seat, was appointed as the BJP's state vice-president four days ago.
Replying reporters, Chouhan said he would not contest elections in 2019 and has put no condition before joining the BJD.
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"I have worked for the people for more than 30 years and will continue to do so in coming days. My fight against injustice will also continue," Chouhan said.
He, however, clarified that his association with RSS will continue for days to come. He is a former national convenor of Bajrang Dal.
Chouhan was upset with the BJP for ignoring him and nominating Suresh Pujari for the Bargarh Lok Sabha seat. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Chouhan had lost the Bargarh seat to BJD's Prabhas Singh by 11,178 votes.
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