Naveen Patnaik drafts JMM's Marandi into party

BHUBANESWAR: Well aware that his party has lost its ground in north Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday drafted Dr Debasish Marandi, a strong Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, into the party to regain his foothold there. Dr Marandi joined the party at Naveen Niwas in the morning. The BJD, according to sour-ces, wants to utilise him 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 the remaining were captured by the opposition BJP.

Welcoming Dr Maran-di, the CM said, “I am very glad that Dr Marandi joined the BJD.” iju 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 BJD. 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 a student, I was dreaming how the health care services will be improved in the tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj. I am thankful to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his efforts to ensure health services to tribals of the district at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital.”