The Biju Janata Dal is celebrating 25 years of its establishment

Puri:26/12/22: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik today advised the workers and leaders of the party to work towards the welfare of the people of Odisha. Addressing them on the occasion of party’s 26th foundation day observation at a function here, Patnaik said they should work for tribals, Dalits, farmers and women of the state.“Mission Shakti has given a unique identification to the women of Odisha. If they wish, the BJD can sustain for 100 years. They should come forward and take charge of the state,” said Patnaik

“The whole world knows about the story of Odisha’s transformation. The BJD is no more a party, it’s a social revolution. Development of Odisha and transparent governance are the main agendas of the party,” the BJD president said.“Our government and party have given maximum importance to women’s empowerment.  The people of Odisha have given us the opportunity to serve them for many years, for which we are grateful to them. Their trust is our biggest asset,” he said.“Those who want the development of Odisha should join the BJD irrespective of their profession,” he added.

In an apparent dig at the opposition ahead of the 2024 assembly polls and general election, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said his Biju Janata Dal has a single-point agenda of development of the state, which is “not in focus” of national parties. The BJD has no vested interests apart from the progress of Odisha, Patnaik asserted. He was addressing a large gathering of party leaders and office-bearers at the silver jubilee of BJD’s foundation day at the Shree Jagannath Dham’ here. The BJD was founded on December 26, 1997, and named after its legendary leader Biju Patnaik, the father of Naveen Patnaik.

“The interest of the state is the lone agenda of the BJD, while Odisha is not in the focus of national parties. They have national politics in their agenda. Only a regional party can develop the state,” he said, without naming any party. Noting that the BJD is not just a political party, but a social movement, Patnaik said it has earned the trust of 4.5 crore people of Odisha.”The BJD’s growth and acceptability among the people is not dependent on one or two persons, nor will it in the future,” the CM said. Patnaik said the party would continue to serve the people “for another 100 years” if it receives the blessings of women, whom he called upon to assume leadership roles.

The BJD president also said his government has earned accolades from across the globe for its sound disaster management.The regional party, which has been in power in Odisha since 2000, could not organise its foundation day function last year due to the Covid pandemic BJD had first formed government in alliance with the BJP in the state. Meanwhile, the student’s wing of the Odisha Congress staged a demonstration here, protesting Patnaik’s Puri visit. Some of the student activists were detained as a precautionary measure, police said.