A day after resigning from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bhubaneswar.
Jena, accompanied by several other BJD leaders and more than 100 associates from Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Bhadrak districts, joined the ruling party during a special program held at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
Speaking at the event, Jena stated that his move to the BJP was driven by a desire for the regional development of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Mayurbhanj, asserting that the progress of both India and Odisha is inseparable from the BJP.
“I have formally resigned from the BJD on personal grounds. Today I have officially joined the BJP along with my senior colleagues, local leaders and elected representatives. The basic idea behind this decision is to take development in our area, district and region to the next level,” Jena said.
The former Balasore MP, who was with the BJD for nearly 12 years, also highlighted structural concerns within his former party, specifically citing the lack of a clear succession plan as a factor in his departure.
ଯଶସ୍ୱୀ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମୋଦୀ ଜୀଙ୍କ ନେତୃତ୍ୱ ଓ ମାନନୀୟ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ମୋହନଚରଣ ମାଝୀଙ୍କ ବିକାଶମୂଳକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରେ ଅନୁପ୍ରାଣିତ ହୋଇ ବାଲେଶ୍ୱର ନିର୍ବାଚନମଣ୍ଡଳୀର ପୂର୍ବତନ ସାଂସଦ ତଥା ବିଜେଡି ଜିଲ୍ଲା ସଭାପତି ରବୀନ୍ଦ୍ର କୁମାର ଜେନା ବିଜେଡି ଛାଡ଼ି ଆଜି ଆନୁଷ୍ଠାନିକ ଭାବେ ବିଜେପିରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି । ସେହିପରି… pic.twitter.com/yYvEFRbEMi
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The veteran leader alleged that the BJD would struggle to provide Sushasan (good governance) to the people of Odisha moving forward, arguing that parties with well-planned leadership transitions are better equipped to serve the public effectively over the long term.
“I have made it very clear that in a regional party, there should be proper succession planning. In its absence, the development agenda often suffers. I could not see a very bright future for development under such circumstances,” Jena said.
When questioned about the status of his wife, Subasini Jena, who serves as the BJD MLA for the Basta constituency, Jena clarified that her political affiliation remains unchanged. “My wife Subasini Jena is in the BJD, and she will continue there,” he noted.
Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal pointed out that the induction included several grassroots figures, such as district-level leaders, block chairpersons, and panchayat representatives.
“Along with him, many of our district leaders, several block chairmen and Zilla Parishad members have joined the BJP. This will further strengthen the party organisation in the region,” Samal said.
Highlighting Jena’s extensive political experience, the state BJP chief added that his entry would significantly bolster the party’s influence in Balasore and surrounding areas.
Regarding whether this move would affect the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections or the standing of Subasini Jena, Samal stated that the party has not yet deliberated on those specifics.
“We have not discussed anything regarding Rajya Sabha support or related political calculations at this stage,” he added.
