BHUBANESWAR: BJP Bargarh district president Narayan Sahu quit the saffron party on Tuesday and announced to join the BJD."I was suffocated in the BJP. Despite being in power at the Centre, the party didn't implement the M S Swaminathan committee recommendations for farmers' welfare," Narayan told reporters after meeting chief minister Naveen Patnaik here. "I will join the BJD on December 3 at an event at Bijepur," he added.The development gives the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party an edge in the battle of perception ahead of bypoll in Bijepur assembly segment in the same district. Narayan is a farmers' leader and belongs to "Kulita" caste having substantial presence in Bargarh district and are considered a deciding factor in elections. He is likely to bring farmers closer to BJD at a time when the crises of drought, pest attacks and unseasonal rain have occupied state's political landscape.Narayan, who aspired to contest from the saffron party, was unhappy after the BJP took former BJD MLA Ashok Panigrahi into its fold last month. Though BJP has not announced its candidate, it is likely to field Panigrahi.The BJP district chief's entry to BJD comes as another shot in the arm for Naveen's party as former Congress MLA Subal Sahu 's family had earlier joined the BJD in September. BJD has announced Subal's wife as its candidate for the bypoll, necessitated by Subal's death in August. The Election Commission of India is likely to notify date for the bypoll this month.BJD vice-president and Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya said Narayan's joining the BJD shows the state of affairs in BJP, which is making tall claims of coming to power in Odisha in 2019. Labour minister Susanta Singh said his joining will increase BJD's victory margin in Bijepur.The BJP issued a statement saying it suspended Narayan for "indiscipline" and that he had not resigned. The BJP appointed another leader, Arupa Sahu, in his place. State BJP president Basanta Panda said Narayan's leaving will make no difference for his party. "Ours party is unlike BJD or Congress where individuals are more important than party," he said.BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said Narayan was forced to join the BJD because there is a criminal case against his son (Sanjay) lodged in Gaisilet police station, which he wanted to get annulled with BJD help.

Stay updated with all the Latest Bhubaneswar headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.