Former BJP Leader Irani Ray Joins BJD

Bhubaneswar: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart, Irani Ray on Sunday joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during a ceremony held at Shankha Bhawan. The induction ceremony witnessed the presence of key BJD figures, including Arun Sahoo, Manas Mangaraj, and Sasmit Patra.

Ray’s decision to switch camps comes on the heels of her recent departure from the saffron party. In her statement, she cited a lack of acknowledgement from the BJP for her unwavering dedication and sacrifices as the primary reason behind her departure. Expressing her hopes for a more appreciative environment, she emphasized her anticipation of receiving due respect from the BJD, particularly in regard to women and party workers.

The BJP had fielded Ray in the 2019 Assembly elections from the Nayagarh constituency, where she contested against BJD’s Arun Sahoo. Despite her spirited campaign, Ray faced defeat, trailing behind Sahoo by a margin of 14,855 votes in the final tally.