Patnaik’s decision to quit the party and join BJP at a time when the BJD is fighting a tough battle to retain the Nuapada seat has apparently sent a disturbing signal to the party's top hierarchy.
Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Drishti Rajkhowa, the former deputy commander-in-chief of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Guwahati.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, BJP national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva were also present on the occasion.
