Bhubaneswar: The BJD seeks to inculcate the principles of ‘Naveenism’ in Odisha by spreading Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s message of tolerance, “noiseless” hard work and dedication from October 16, on the occasion of the 76th birthday of the regional party’s supremo.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his party do not spend time engaging in verbal duels with opposition camps; rather they speak through their actions, said BJD’s general secretary (organisation) Pranab Prakash Das.
Asked why the BJD maintained silence over the BJP leader’s remarks, Das said the party believes in “talking less and working more”.
“Naveenism is all about tolerance, noiseless hard work and dedication. We are not afraid of the BJP or for that matter any other political party. The BJD believes in talking less and working more; it does not engage in war of words with opposition leaders,” he said.
“The party has decided to spread ‘Naveenism’ across the state from October 16, the day Patnaik celebrates his 76th birthday. He has been into politics for 25 years and held the post of CM since 2000. Over the past two decades, he has set his own model of governance,” the Jajpur MLA said.
Echoing him, BJD’s senior vice-president and MLA Debi Prasad Mishra said party functionaries, before the launch of the month-long ‘padayatra’ on October 2, were told to avoid getting provoked by any remarks made by the opposition.
“BJD’s grassroots-level leaders were also given explanations about ‘Naveenism’. They were asked to focus on development work, dedicate their lives to the service of humanity,” Mishra said.
BJP, on the other hand, dubbed the term as a tool to mislead people.
“Naveen Patnaik is said to be the number one chief minister, but his state Odisha remains at the bottom of the development ladder. What is there to talk about ‘Naveenism’,” said Leader of Opposition JN Mishra.
