In a significant show of strength ahead of the Panchayat elections, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders from Kendrapada district met party president Naveen Patnaik at his residence, Naveen Niwas, on Saturday.
The high-level meeting focused on strengthening the party’s organisational base. In addition, it aimed at boosting grassroots presence. The meeting also worked on finalising strategies for the upcoming local body polls.
Senior leaders, including Ganeswar Behera, former minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra, and Pratap Kesari Deb and Dhruba Charan Sahoo attended the gathering. Other district heavyweights were also present.
They briefed Patnaik on the current political scenario. They discussed the party’s robust position in the district. Notably, this strength became clear after the Zilla Parishad elections. BJD secured victories across all seats in those elections. Newly elected Zilla Parishad members also called on the BJD supremo. Moreover, they were accompanied by district president Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.
Sources said Patnaik congratulated the leaders on their recent successes and gave them a clear mantra: “Start rigorous groundwork right now for the Panchayat elections.”
Addressing concerns over alleged desertions, district leaders firmly denied any major churn within the party. Moreover, they said: “No one is leaving BJD in Kendrapada at present. In 2024, only two people had left, but today all leaders are united under Naveen Babu’s leadership,” they asserted.
Ganeswar Behera emphasised, “We are working together as one team. Under Naveen Babu’s guidance, we will fight the next elections and make BJD victorious once again.”
The meeting is being seen as a proactive step by the regional outfit to consolidate its base in a key coastal district and counter any opposition momentum before the crucial Panchayat polls.
