BJP leader Jay Dholakia Thursday took oath as a member of Odisha Legislative Assembly, increasing the ruling saffron party’s strength to 79 in the 147-member House.

Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy administered the oath of office to Dholakia in the presence of senior leaders.

His mother, Kalpana Dholakia, and other family members were also present.

Jay’s swearing-in ceremony coincided with the birthday of his late father and BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, whose demise September 8 necessitated the bypoll in Nuapada.

Jay defeated Congress candidate Ghasiram Majhi by a margin of 83,748 votes in the November 11 bypoll.

BJD nominee Snehangini Chhuria finished third, the results of which were declared November 14.

With Dholakia’s induction, the BJP’s tally in the Assembly has risen to 79, while t

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