Ex-Odisha CM Gamang joins hands with BJP

 Former Odisha Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang on Friday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah and announced that he was joining the party.

While the party leadership is reported to have accepted his joining, his formal joining will take place later in Bhubaneshwar.

The 72-year-old tribal leader from Odisha, who quit the Congress on May 30, said he decided to join the BJP as he liked its political strategy. "I will formally join the BJP soon. It will be decided by the state unit soon. I had met the Amit Shah today and made my plea, which has been accepted by the party leadership," <g data-gr-id="17">Gamang</g> said.

Union Ministers Jual Oram, also a tribal leader from Odisha, and Dharmendra Pradhan, besides party's secretary Arun <g data-gr-id="16">Singh</g> were also present during the meeting.