BHUBANESWAR: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the party’s Nari Adhikar Abhiyan had received overwhelming public support, which he claimed reflected a growing desire for political change in Odisha.
Addressing an organisational meeting at Shankha Bhavan with BJD leaders who had contested the 2024 Assembly elections, Patnaik said the regional party had consistently stood with the people and worked for their welfare.
Highlighting the BJD’s 24-year tenure in office, he said Odisha had earned national recognition through its achievements in disaster management, food security, healthcare, education, sports, irrigation, and infrastructure development.
He also credited the previous BJD government with implementing a range of welfare measures for farmers, women, and economically weaker sections.
The BJD supremo, however, launched a sharp attack on the BJP government in the state, alleging that the law-and-order situation had deteriorated over the past two years. He claimed that incidents of murder, rape, robbery, and crimes against women had increased, creating fear among the public.
Patnaik further alleged that Odisha’s economic condition had worsened despite the previous BJD government leaving behind a revenue surplus of Rs 45,000 crore. He claimed that the state’s debt burden was rising and alleged that social security pensions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities were not being provided under the current administration.
Referring to the party’s Nari Adhikar Abhiyan, Patnaik said the campaign was launched to oppose what the BJD described as the BJP’s failure to ensure 33% reservation for women. According to him, the response to the campaign indicated changing public sentiment across the state.
He urged party workers to move ahead with confidence and strengthen preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections. Patnaik also called on party members to closely monitor the ongoing SIR process in Odisha and use social media platforms to raise public issues and concerns.
