Former judge of the Orissa High Court Justice Mutika Papanna, who relinquished his office recently, joined the ruling BJD.
''I am delighted that Justice Pappanna has joined the BJD and we feel honoured,'' BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters in the presence of the former judge at his residence in Bhubaneswar.
''This will send a very good message to the state,'' he said.
Asked whether he would be fielded by the party to contest the polls, Patnaik said the decision in this regard would be taken by the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC).
Former minister and Congress leader from Ganjam district, Harihar Swain also joined the BJD on Friday describing it as homecoming while prominent trade union leader and president of Gana Abhijan, Mayadhar Nayak joined the Congress.