In a powerful show of organisational revival, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik convened a high-level strategy meeting with the party’s 2024 Assembly election candidates at Sankha Bhawan today.
The nearly two-hour closed-door session focused on strengthening the party’s grassroots machinery, reviewing local challenges, and preparing for the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections.
Addressing the gathering, the former Chief Minister painted a grim picture of the current state of affairs in Odisha. “In the last two years, the law and order situation has completely collapsed. People are living in fear. Murders, rapes, loot, and atrocities against women have crossed all limits,” Patnaik said. He also criticised the worsening economic condition and the delay in social security pensions for the elderly and differently-abled, contrasting it sharply with the fiscal health left behind by the BJD government.“
In 24 years of BJD rule, Odisha earned a shining identity across the country through transformative work in disaster management, food security, health, education, irrigation, infrastructure, and welfare of farmers, women, and the poor,” he reminded the candidates, urging them to highlight these achievements.
Women’s Rights Campaign Signals Change
Patnaik specially lauded the massive success of BJD’s Nari Adhikar Abhiyan (Women’s Rights Campaign), which concluded across all 120 Assembly constituencies. Thousands of women braved the scorching heat to participate, sending a clear message of public discontent with the present dispensation.“The overwhelming response to our women’s rights campaign indicates that change is on the horizon. It exposes the BJP’s deceptive politics on women’s safety,” he said, thanking party workers and mothers who joined the movement in large numbers.
Focus on Local Polls & Electoral Vigilance
With panchayat and municipal elections approaching, Patnaik directed party leaders to begin full preparations with “complete self-confidence.” He emphasised greater use of social media to connect with voters and counter narratives effectively.
On the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the BJD supremo struck a cautious note. “SIR is extremely important. We must remain alert and learn from incidents that occurred in other states during the process,” he said, asking workers to ensure no eligible voter is left out due to minor typographical errors.
The meeting was conducted by senior BJD vice-president Devi Prasad Mishra. Candidates shared ground-level feedback on organisational issues and local problems. A detailed presentation on BJD’s past achievements, current organisational programmes, and the SIR process was also made during the session.
The gathering is being seen as the launch of BJD’s renewed organisational push as the party looks to regain momentum after the 2024 setback and mount a strong challenge in the upcoming local body elections.
