BHUBANESWAR: In a massive boost to the BJP, former BJD veteran

joined the party in New Delhi on Thursday, just weeks ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha. Damodar's move comes on the heels of former BJD MP Baijayant Panda joining the saffron outfit and could be followed by Baladbhadra Majhi, the outgoing

MP who resigned from the BJD on Thursday.

Moments after joining the BJP, the 77-year-old Damodar heaped praise on Prime Minister

while slamming Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik for moving away from his father

's development agenda for Odisha. "Biju babu brought me to politics. His sole agenda was development of Odisha. He sacrificed a lot for the state. However, his son Naveen Patnaik is just the opposite. He has no love and affection for the state and its people," Damodar told reporters at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

Damodar, who was expelled from the BJD, said he paid the price for trying to raise his voice against corruption in the Naveen government. "I was expelled from the BJD last year because I tried to highlight corruption in government departments. Corruption has crossed all limits in Odisha," said the seven-time MLA and former minister in the cabinet of both Biju and Naveen.

Asked about the reason for joining the BJP, Damodar said, "I feel Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision can help realise Biju's dream for Odisha." Union minister

, newly appointed BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, legislature party leader K V Singhdeo and the party's Odisha in-charge Arun Singh were there to welcome Damodar to the saffron fold.