Bhubaneswar, July 19 (IANS). Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former minister Bikram Keshari Arukh on Sunday dismissed rumors of leaving the regional party. He said he would continue to work under the leadership of party president Naveen Patnaik.
In a video message released on Sunday, Arukh said he is a founding member of BJD and described Naveen Patnaik as his favorite leader and BJD as his favorite party. He further said that he has been working dedicatedly for the regional party since its inception.
He clarified that today I heard in various media outlets that I am going to join some other party. This is just a rumor and there is no truth in it. I was, am and will always be in BJD.
Arukh, a member of BJD’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC), said his absence from a couple of PAC meetings has given rise to speculations about his leaving the party and joining the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He said that I am a member of the Political Affairs Committee of BJD and regularly attend its meetings. Due to personal reasons I could not attend one or two meetings. If this is leading to speculation that I am angry or dissatisfied, then such claims are completely baseless.
This clarification comes amid speculation in some sections of the media about Arukh joining the ruling BJP. It is noteworthy that the regional party has seen the resignation of many senior leaders after its defeat in the 2024 assembly elections.
Meanwhile, when asked about Arukh’s possible entry into the ruling party, BJP state president Manmohan Samal had earlier told reporters that he had no knowledge of the matter. However, he also said that the doors of the ruling party are open to all.
–IANS
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