Odia film star joins Congress

Odia film star Bijay Mohanty Thursday joined the Congress party here, party officials said.

Mohanty joined the party at a function at the state Congress headquarters. His joining will strengthen the party in Odisha, state Congress president Jayadev Jena told reporters.

The 64-year-old Mohanty who has worked in over 300 films, including over 200 Odia movies, 27 Bengali and one each in Hindi and Telugu, is a National Award winner.

He has also acted in television serials.

"I always wanted to do something for the people. The Congress offered me that scope," Mohanty told IANS.

Recently, Odia film actress Aparajita Mohanty also joined the Congress.

On Wednesday, two film actors Sritam Das and Pinky Pradhan joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).