Former BJP leader and three-time MP Kharavel Swain on Monday announced the launch of a new political party here.
The new party named “Utkal Bharat” would be an alternative to the ruling BJD and opposition Congress, Mr. Swain told reporters.
Mr. Swain, elected to Lok Sabha thrice from Balasore Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket, had quit the saffron party in December last opposing RSS’s interference in party matters.
“Utkal Bharat will emerge as a party with national prospective,” he said, adding agriculture and industry would be the new party’s priorities.
A large number of Mr. Swain’s supporters from 15 of the state’s 30 districts, attended the function marking the launch of the outfit. The state unit of the BJP, however, said Mr. Swain’s new outfit would have no impact on the parent party.
