Rural Poll Shock: Naveen drafts senior JMM leader make up for Mayurbhanj loss

By Sudam Patra

Balasore/Bhubaneswar, May 19: Well aware that his party has lost its ground in north Odisha, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday drafted Dr Debasish Marnadi, a strong Jharkhand Mukti Morach leader, – into the party to regain his foothold in the region.

Dr Marandi joined the party at Naveen Niwas in the morning.

The BJD, according to sources, wants to utilize to make up for the loss it suffered in the hands of the BJP in the last panchayat elections.

Of the total 56 Zilla Parishad seats in Mayurbhanj district, the ruling BJD could manage to win in only five seats while remaining were captured by the opposition BJP.

Welcoming the new leader, who left his job in NALCO to join the party, chief minister Mr Patnaik said, “I am very glad that Dr Debashish Marandi joined the Biju Janata Dal today. He had been the student leader of Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital. He will be a tremendous asset particularly in Mayurbhanj district. We welcome more and more professionals to join the Biju Janata Dal. We will certainly provide a platform for him.”

Joining the party, Mr Marandi expressed his gratitude to Mr Patnaik for the Supreme Court panel’s nod for admission in Baripada-based Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital for this academic session.

“When I was the student I was dreaming how the healthcare services will be improved in the tribal-dominated district Mayurbhanj. I am thankful to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his efforts that the tribals of the district will get health services at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital.”

Notably, the Naveen government will complete its three years rule successfully of its fourth term on May 21. Patnaik has called an all BJD members meeting on May 20 to give his message to the party members to strengthen the party at grassroots.