In a spirited address at the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) State Council Meeting held at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar, BJD President and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Odisha’s development, pride, and empowerment.
Taking charge as the party president for the ninth consecutive term, Patnaik expressed gratitude to the party cadre for their trust and emphasised the need to counter false narratives aggressively, particularly on social media, to strengthen the party’s outreach.
Patnaik began his speech with an invocation of “Jay Jagannath” and paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary Biju Patnaik, the founder of BJD, whose ideals continue to guide the party. “Biju Babu’s vision has always shown us the path,” he said, underscoring the party’s adherence to principles of service, inclusivity, and regional pride.
Reflecting on BJD’s legacy, Patnaik highlighted the period from 2000 to 2024 as a “golden era” for Odisha’s development. During this time, the state emerged as a pioneer in various sectors, setting benchmarks for others to follow. “With the blessings of Odisha’s people, we had the privilege of serving Mother Odisha for over two decades,” he noted, crediting the party’s organisational strength and dedicated workers.
Addressing the recent electoral setback in 2024, where BJD narrowly lost despite securing more popular votes, Patnaik attributed the defeat to the party’s inability to effectively counter false narratives. “Creating misinformation is the main strategy against BJD even now,” he cautioned, urging party workers to adopt a proactive approach in exposing falsehoods, especially on digital platforms. He candidly admitted the need to bolster BJD’s social media presence, stating, “Without technology, we cannot reach the people. We must use it to tell the truth.”
Patnaik reiterated BJD’s focus on empowering women, farmers, youth, workers, and tribal communities while promoting regional development. “Odisha’s interests and Odia pride are paramount for us,” he declared, assuring that the party would continue its fight for the state’s rights, whether in power or not. He emphasised that BJD’s workers, whom he described as the “real assets” of the party, would carry the message of service to every village and city in Odisha.
Congratulating the newly elected district presidents, state executive members, and other office-bearers, Patnaik expressed confidence in their ability to strengthen the party’s grassroots network. He called for unity and determination, assuring that BJD’s spirit remains unbreakable. “Our workers will give a fitting reply to false propaganda and ensure our message of service reaches every corner of Odisha,” he said.
The address concluded with a renewed pledge to uphold Biju Patnaik’s ideals and serve Odisha relentlessly.
As Odisha navigates a new political landscape, Naveen Patnaik’s leadership and the BJD’s organisational strength are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s future.
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