Former BJD MP Amar Patnaik joins BJP ahead of Nuapada by-poll
Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): Ahead of the Nuapada Assembly by-election, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Amar Patnaik joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday.
Dr. Patnaik was formally inducted into the BJP at a programme held at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar in the presence of senior party leaders.
A former Accountant General (AG) of Odisha, Dr. Patnaik began his political journey with the BJD on August 29, 2018. He served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2019 to 2024 and headed the party’s IT Cell, earning recognition for his policy insights and administrative experience.
His move to the BJP follows a string of notable departures from the BJD. Recently, Jay Dholakia, son of late BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, also joined the saffron party and has been announced as the BJP candidate for the Nuapada seat, once represented by his father.
In his reaction, Patnaik said joining the BJP would provide him an opportunity to serve the people of the country and the state.
The by-poll is shaping up to be a triangular contest between BJP’s Jay Dholakia, BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, and Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi.
The Nuapada Assembly by-election will be held on November 11, coinciding with the second phase of the Bihar elections and bypolls in six other constituencies across different states. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.
