Former BJD Leader Prabhat Biswal Joins BJP with Hundreds of Supporters

In a significant political development in Odisha, former BJD leader and influential Choudwar-Cuttack politician Prabhat Biswal formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday along with hundreds of his supporters.

Biswal was inducted into the BJP at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

His entry into the BJP comes weeks after he was expelled from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), marking a major shift in Odisha’s political landscape, particularly in the Cuttack region.

A day before the joining ceremony, Biswal’s son Souvik Biswal had visited the BJP state office, fuelling speculation about the family’s move to the saffron party. Souvik was recently suspended from the BJD for alleged cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha elections, further strengthening speculation that he too could join the BJP in the coming days.

Political observers believe Prabhat Biswal’s induction is a setback for the BJD, as he has long been regarded as one of the party’s most influential leaders in the Choudwar-Cuttack area. His move is expected to bolster the BJP’s organisational strength in the district ahead of future elections.

Speaking after joining the BJP, Biswal said he was confident the party would provide him with an opportunity to serve the people.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party is a party of knowledgeable, capable and self-respecting people. I believe I will get an opportunity to serve here. In such a large organisation, I am just an ordinary worker, and I will work together with everyone,” he said.

Biswal also expressed disappointment over his treatment in the BJD.

“I worked sincerely for the party for 24 years with complete dedication. I believed my contributions would be recognised, but that did not happen. Though it came late, perhaps this change is for the better,” he remarked.

His joining follows the recent induction of former BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray, who resigned from both the Upper House and the BJD before joining the BJP.

With the addition of leaders like Debashish Samantaray and Prabhat Biswal, the BJP is expected to further strengthen its organisational base in the politically important Cuttack region