Sambalpur: The continuing defection in the BJD and the BJP in Bargarh district ahead of Bijepur Assembly bypoll took a new turn with former president of the Bargarh district BJP unit Narayan Sahu formally joining the ruling party at a workers' rally in Bijepur on Sunday.

Sahu arrived in a procession with his supporters amidst shouting slogans "BJD Jindabad, Naveen Patnaik Jindabad".

Four ministers - steel and mines minister Prafulla Mullick, industries and urban development minister Niranjan Pujari, labour minister Sushanta Singh and handloom and textiles minister Snehangini Chhuria - were present at the meeting along with BJD vice-president and Rajyasabha memember Prasanna Acharya and local MP Prabhas Singh.

The speakers praised the chief minister Naveen Patnaik for taking various steps for the development of Odisha during last 17 years. Sahu said that he would work wholeheartedly for the BJD and spread the message of Naveen Patnaik in villages in Bargarh district.

On the other hand, BJD received a jolt with Bijepur block BJD president Radhesyam Mohapatra putting his resignation paper to the district president Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha expressing his dissatisfaction over party affairs on the same day. However, he has not resigned from the primary membership of the party.

"Old people are being thoroughly neglected by the party for which I have resigned from the post. I shall discuss with my supporters and take a final decision about my political future soon," said Mohapatra.

Sushanta Singh, in-charge of Bargarh district, however, said that the resignation of Mohapatra would not affect the party prospects in the ensuing bypoll.

Defections are taking place in Bijpepur ever since the death of sitting Congress MLA Subal Sahu. Sahu's widow Rita and his entire family joined the BJD in presence of Naveen Patnaik soon after his death. Former BJD MLA Ashok Panigrahi then joined the BJP.

While the Bijepur Assembly bypoll schedule is yet to be announced, accusations and counter accusations have started between the BJD and BJP, the two main contenders.

BJP legislator from the district Pradip Purohit on Sunday alleged that the proposed fuel plant from agro wastes proposed to be set up by the Centre in Bhatli at a cost of Rs 750 crore was being delayed due to non-availability of land.

"It was due to pressure from minister Susanta Singh and silence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik," he said.