What was expected has happened. Former Rajya Sabha MP from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Sujeet Kumar has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 

This happened in New Delhi on Friday. The event was marked by the attendance of senior party leaders.

Notably, at the time when Kumar joined the BJP in the national capital, Vijaypal Singh Tomar, Odisha in charge of the party, was present. 

The BJD led by ex-CM Navin Patnaik had expelled its Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar on Friday for engaging in "anti-party activities", shortly after he submitted his resignation from the Upper House.  

The BJD has expressed disappointment, stating that Kumar had "let down the party" that had nominated him to the Rajya Sabha.