Supporters of late queen Sugnan Kumari Deo of Khallikote quit BJD, join BJP

Berhampur: Hundreds of followers of Odisha’s Khallikote queen and 10-time MLA late Sugnan Kumari Deo quit BJD and joined BJP on Thursday.

The late queen’s followers including sarpanchs, former sarpanchs and panchayat samiti members of Khallikote and Chikiti blocks in Ganjam district, led by deputy block chairman of Khallikote Kaluram Maharana joined the BJP at its state headquarters in Bhubaneswar.

BJP’s state president Manmohan Samal, party candidate for Berhampur Lok Sabha seat Pradeep Panigrahy, Aska nominee Anita Subhadarshini along with other leaders welcomed them at the function.

Similarly, former Congress MLA of Kabisuryanagar Sitaram Panigrahy along with his supporters joined the saffron party on the occasion.

Sugnan passed away at the age of 87 on February 10. Belonging to Khallikote royal family, she was first elected to Odisha Assembly as Congress candidate in 1963. She was elected as MLA 10 times in her political career from Khallikote and Kabisuryanagar constituencies. She was elected on BJD ticket for two terms from 2009-2014 and 2014-2019 from Kabisuryanagar.