Bhubaneswar: A week after resigning from the Congress, veteran Odisha actress Aparajita Mohanty joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here today.

The Ollywood star joined the saffron party at the BJP's state headquarters here in the presence of Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan and other senior leaders.

Mohanty said she joined the party as she was inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and after being influenced by the development programmes undertaken by him. She also expressed hopes that the country would continue to progress under Modi's leadership.

On the other hand, Pradhan said Mohanty's joining will strengthen the party.

Party sources said Mohanty will join the BJP's by-poll campaign which is underway in Bijepur assembly constituency.

Mohanty had on February 13 resigned from the Congress party and speculations were rife that she might join the BJP.

Aparajita had joined the Congress just ahead of the 2014 General Elections. The national party had fielded the veteran actress from Cuttack parliamentary constituency but she was defeated by BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab by over two lakh votes.

Worth mentioning, Ollywood actor Mihir Das, actresses Anu Choudhury and Mahasweta Ray had joined BJP recently.