Eye on 2019 poll, Naveen reviews party readiness

BHUBANESWAR:  As the BJP has stepped up activities in the State for next elections, BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has started review of organisational preparedness of the party in different districts.The Chief Minister, on Saturday, reviewed the performance of party MLAs, MPs and Ministers from Sundargarh, Cuttack, Puri and Balangir districts. Sources said the party supremo wanted differences in the district units to be sorted out, formation of ward committees to be completed and proper implementation of ‘Ama Gaon, Ama Unnati programme’ during his interaction with partymen.

Naveen has taken strong view of the differences among leaders at the district level. Besides, he is reported to have chided some leaders for running a parallel organisation in their areas. So far, he has reviewed the performance of 18 districts. BJD’s performance in last panchayat elections and steps taken to improve the organisational base have also been discussed.]

As a well thought out strategy, the BJD has decided to celebrate its 20th foundation day at Puri in which 30,000 party office-bearers and workers will attend. The party is planning to launch a mass contact programme from the day, keeping the 2019 general and Assembly elections in mind. The programme, ‘Agami Odisha ra Bikash Yatra’ will be organised in all the Assembly constituencies. A training programme of panchayat workers will also be conducted.

Welfare schemes launched by the BJD Government, social transformation of Odisha under the leadership of the Chief Minister and neglect of Odisha by successive governments at the Centre would be discussed. The thrust will be to project the BJD as a political party which cares and works for the common people of the state. Senior leaders of the party are working out the detailed programme for the foundation day which will be announced after approval from the party president.  

Besides its elected representatives, office bearers, district presidents, executive committee and council members, the party is planning to get two to three workers from 6,800 GPs for foundation day celebrations.

Rahul take-over to have no impact on Odisha: BJD
Bhubaneswar: Even as Rahul Gandhi’s take over as president of All India Congress Committee (AICC) rekindled hopes of an organisational restructuring in the State Congress, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday said it will have no impact on the political situation in Odisha. Congress was in power in the State for a long period, but it failed to keep the confidence of the people, BJD secretary Bijay Nayak said and added that Odisha remained backward and under-developed during the party’s rule.  Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma will also have no impact on the people of the State, Nayak said and added that it was proved in the 2014 elections. People of Odisha will continue to repose their faith on BJD led by Naveen Patnaik even in 2019 elections, he said.