Biramitrapur Independent MLA George Tirkey and Mahanadi Bachao Andolan convenor Sudarshan Das on Wednesday joined the Congress at New Delhi in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi.
Welcoming Tirkey and Das to the party, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik said this would strengthen the party further.
“Tirkey is a senior tribal leader with thousands of supporters. Similarly, Das along with four other members of the organisation joined Congress today. We heartily welcome them to the party,†said Patnaik.
He further said the Congress is ready to welcome to the party all likeminded people who want to work for the interest of Odisha.
On being asked if Tirkey would contest as Congress candidate from the Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat in 2019, Patnaik said the party would take a decision in this regard at appropriate time.
