Actor Varsha Priyadarshini has taken a new step in her political journey by joining the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday. This comes nearly three weeks after her former husband, Kendrapara MP, switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
There’s buzz that Varsha might contest from the same Assembly constituency where the BJP plans to field Anubhav. Reports suggest that Anubhav could be nominated by the BJP for a seat in the Cuttack Lok Sabha constituency.
Sasmit Patra, a Rajya Sabha MP, warmly welcomed Varsha into the BJD fold. He highlighted her affection and respect for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Biju Patnaik, evident in her film ‘Nimki – Nimpur Ru Naveen Niwas’. Patra commended her efforts in advancing women’s empowerment, particularly through raising awareness about menstrual hygiene. He also praised her for aiding women in rebuilding their lives during the Covid pandemic.
Patra mentioned Varsha’s leadership in the library movement and noted her longstanding association with the party, despite formalizing her membership recently. Varsha expressed her admiration for the people-centric initiatives of the state government and the humble demeanor of the chief minister, which motivated her to join the BJD. Emphasizing that there’s no one like the chief minister in terms of leadership, Varsha pledged to fulfill any responsibilities entrusted to her towards achieving the party supremo’s vision of an empowered Odisha.
