'BJP & BJD in a live-in relationship in Odisha,' says former Union minister Srikant Jena as he returns to Congress

Former Union minister Srikant Jena had been expelled by the Congress in 2019 for alleged anti-party activities.

New Delhi: In a bid to boost its prospects in Odisha ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Congress on Wednesday re-admitted former Union Minister Srikant Jena into the party, five years after he was expelled on charges of anti-party activities.

Jena's expulsion had happened four months before 2019 Lok Sabha elections while his re-entry comes just a month ahead of the start of General Elections this year.

A four-time MP and three-term MLA, Jena had met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal before rejoining the party.

Jena is one of the senior leaders who has returned to the party after former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang who rejoined the party in January this year. A prominent actor Manoj Mishra also joined the party last month, as the Congress is taking steps to strengthen the party ahead of the elections amid speculation about BJD and BJP joining hands in an alliance.

Earlier, a five-time MLA and former BJD MInister Balabhdara Majhi, former minister Jayaram Pangi had also joined the party. It also revoked the suspension of Mohammed Moquim and Chiranjib Biswal.

“There were some misunderstandings. It has been sorted for now. I have always worked for the party. I am happy to be back in the party again. There are challenges for the party in Odisha as both BJD and BJP are joining hands. Congress and I.N.D.I.A bloc will defeat them as their real face has been exposed,” he said.

Congress Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar said Jena's “absence was felt very much” and his return will boost the party’s prospects ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Jena had fallen out with the Odisha Congress leadership and he was expelled from the party in January 2019 after he made comments in the media against Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik. In December 2018, he was also removed as Chairman of Manifesto committee following the tiff with Patnaik.

As soon as Patnaik was appointed state unit chief, Jena had demanded that the Congress should appoint a Dalit as Chief Minister if it wins the Assembly election in 2019. This had not gone well with Patnaik and their relationship soured.