Former Odisha CM Hemananda Biswal's daughter joins BJD

Bhubaneswar, Mar 9 Former Odisha chief minister Hemananda Biswals daughter and Congress leader Sunita Biswal Saturday joined the decision BJD, scarcely two days after the Congress had reported that it will entirely pursue 'one family, one ticket' arrangement for the up and coming surveys.

Sunita Biswal, also the former executive president of the Sundargarh district Congress, joined the BJD along with hundreds of her supporters in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"I am happy that Smt. Sunita Biswal, little girl of previous chief minister Hemanada Biswal hosts joined our party along with her supporters. I welcome them to the gathering. I am certain they will strengthen the BJD further," Patnaik said.

Sunita said she joined the regional party in the wake of consulting her in-laws.

"Since my dad is in the Congress, I was not open to stopping the party.

"I am impressed by Naveen Patnaik's welfare programnme for ladies, ranchers and young people. I trust, I will almost certainly accomplish something for the people of Sundergarh," Sunita told reporters.

Sunita said she has joined the BJD with no condition and will acknowledge whatever choice the party chief takes in regards to tickets to contest polls.

Reacting to her daughter's decision, Hemananda Biswal stated: "My daughter is quite grown up to take decision on her own. I don't have anything to do with this. I keep on staying in the Congress."

Biswal's daughter quit the party barely two days after AICC in-charge for Odisha Jitendra Singh reported that the Congress will embrace "one family, one ticket" policy in the upcoming elections.

"Some leaders seek tickets for more than one member from their family. This time, the party has decided that just a single ticket will be given to one family. However, if a senior family member, to whom the ticket is allotted, decides not to contest, he or she has the option to pass on the ticket to his/her son or daughter," Singh had told reporters on Thursday.