Bhartruhari Mahtab, a six-term BJD MP from Cuttack, joined the BJP after talks to renew ties with BJD failed. Son of former Odisha CM Krushna Hari Mahtab, he was a founding BJD member and active parliamentarian. Damayanti Beshra, a Padma Shri awardee and Santhali activist, and actor-politician Siddhant Mahapatra also joined BJP. BJP aims to field BJD leaders in Odisha's Assembly and general elections. Mahtab is known for his well-researched speeches and interventions in parliamentary committees. BJP's failure to ally with BJD is a setback as it targets over 400 NDA seats.
