Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Behera joins BJP

New Delhi, Mar 17 Odisha MLA Prakash Chandra Behera Sunday joined the BJP in the wake of being with the Congress for a long time, with Union pastor Dharmendra Pradhan saying his essence will help the party bring about changes in Odisha under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

Behera, who represents Cuttack's Salepur constituency, quit the Congress on Saturday.

Joining the BJP during a party press conference here, he stated, "I have confidence in Narendra Modi's leadership and the youths in my voting public are truly impressed with the government's decision of carrying out surgical strikes."

He said he quit the Congress since he was overlooked by the gathering's state administration.

Pradhan welcomed him into the BJP crease and said his quality will enable the gathering to achieve changes in Odisha under the Modi initiative.