Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Athagarh MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain, popularly known as Raja Swain, has written a compelling letter to party president Naveen Patnaik.
In the letter, Swain emphasizes the need for the BJD to realign itself with its core ideological values of social justice and secularism.
Swain expressed concerns over the erosion of the party’s founding ideals, particularly in addressing the needs of marginalized communities such as SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and women. Despite constituting 94% of Odisha’s population, these groups face systemic neglect, with the OBC community notably lacking reservation in education.
Highlighting economic and environmental exploitation, Swain criticized the administration for failing to collect dues from mining companies and for ignoring Supreme Court orders. He also flagged the non-implementation of the PESA Act, alleging that fake Gram Sabhas are being conducted to secure environmental clearances, undermining tribal rights.
Swain proposed five key measures, including conducting a caste census, enforcing mining taxation orders, implementing the PESA Act, renewing the demand for Special Category Status, and ensuring fair representation of marginalized groups within the party.
“This is a moment to reclaim our ideological legacy,” Swain concluded, urging the BJD to uphold the principles of social justice, secularism, and regional dignity to maintain public trust.
