New Delhi: On Thursday, Mamata Mohanta, the former head of the BJD, joined the BJP in this city, one day after leaving the party led by Naveen Patnaik and resigning as a member of the Rajya Sabha. At the BJP headquarters here, Mamata Mohanta became a member in the presence of prominent party figures such as national secretary Arun Singh and Odisha in-charge Vijay Pal Singh.On this occasion, a few Odisha-based BJP MPs were also in attendance. BJP Odisha in-charge Vijay Pal Singh welcomed Mamata Mohanta to the party and expressed his hope that she would help carry out the partys Sankalp Patra (election pledges) to transform Odisha into a developed state and India into a developed nation.More on Mamata MohantaHer origins are in a tribal area in Odisha. With her joining the BJP, the party would undoubtedly grow stronger, Singh stated at a press conference held at the party headquarters. Mamata Mohanta was also greeted and informed by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh that she had joined the party by adopting its beliefs. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership has inspired her. She has made significant contributions to the empowerment of women in Mayurbhanj and other regions of Odisha. She presided over the Mahila Morcha of the BJD. Her joining the BJP will undoubtedly strengthen it, Singh informed reporters.Speaking to media, Mamata Mohanta stated that her two main objectives while entering the public sphere were public welfare and public service. I joined the BJP because I thought I could accomplish my objectives here, she remarked. Mamata Mohanta wrote to BJD president Naveen Patnaik in her resignation letter stating she felt her and her communitys contribution to the party was not required. The BJD now has eight members in the Rajya Sabha as a result of her departure. In the Lok Sabha, it is without a member.
