BJD president Naveen Patnaik dismisses speculation of party split, asserting BJD will remain the voice of Odisha for the next 100 years
OdishaPlus Bureau
BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday rejected speculation regarding a potential breakup of the party in the near future, affirming that it will continue to represent the voice of Odisha for the next century.
During the BJD’s 29th foundation day celebrations at the Sankha Bhawan, the former chief minister criticized ‘certain political parties and individuals’ for disseminating false information about the party.
He emphasized that the BJD is not the domain of one or two leaders but has transformed into the voice of Odisha’s 4.5 crore citizens. He further stated that the BJD has evolved into a people’s movement, deeply embedded in the aspirations and pride of the Odia community. “The BJD exists and will persist as the voice of the people of Odisha for the next 100 years,” he declared.
The former chief minister noted that since 1997, the party has been dedicated to serving the people of Odisha, adhering to the principles of former chief minister Biju Patnaik.
From 2000 to 2024, the BJD governance has marked a golden period in the developmental history of Odisha. Throughout this time, the state has successfully battled poverty, hunger, infant mortality, and natural disasters.
Naveen stated that the BJD government has granted Odisha a new identity, empowered women, raised farmers’ incomes, offered free health services through the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, attracted investments to the state, and generated employment opportunities for the youth.
He strongly criticized the current BJP government, claiming that the state’s development has come to a complete standstill. “Currently, there is a double-engine government in Odisha. But where is the development? Farmers are unable to obtain fertilizer, mandis have not been opened for paddy procurement, Mission Shakti members are facing harassment, and the youth are becoming increasingly frustrated. In the past 18 months of the double-engine government, 18 question papers have been leaked. There is no sense of governance in the state,” he remarked.
The BJD president asserted that patience is essential in the realm of politics, expressing trust in the diligence and commitment of the party’s vast workforce. He encouraged all party members to transform current challenges into opportunities and strive towards the development of a robust Odisha.
Highlighting the youth as the party’s greatest asset, the Opposition leader stated that service, struggle, and self-respect form the core ideology of the BJD. He called upon the youth members of the party to remain engaged on social media and to combat the misinformation being disseminated against the party.
May his words come true. When Naveen Patnaik is alive he does not take decision who would be his successor . His party cadres are getting restless and desperate to know who would lead BJD in the coming days when the Panchayat elections and urban elections are round corner and district and block level functionaries are leaving. Naveen remains calm and maintains his composure . He is unable to feel the heat of criticism and growing disenchantment . His signature smile and mysterious silence will never help him to keep his flock together. People close to him and the senior Party leaders find difficult to read his mind . He alone knows what is going on in his thinking and what steps he will take and when. My guess is that he will try to spring a list minute surprise by nominating his only trusted lieutenant to nominate him to Rajya Sabha to test the water. So long he is alive he will not decide about his successor. He may keep the issue under animated suspension . If he thinks he is right may God help him and his Party to remain relevant in the face of a ruthless opponent in the Centre as well as in the State .
My reply to the article of OdishaPlus Bureau is as under which I have left for publication: May his words come true. When Naveen Patnaik is alive he does not make a decision who would be his successor . His party cadres are getting restless and desperate to know who would lead BJD in the coming days when the Panchayat elections and urban elections are round the corner , his health is falling and district and block level functionaries are leaving. Naveen remains calm and maintains his composure . He is unable to feel the heat of criticism and growing disenchantment . His signature smile and mysterious silence will never help him to keep his flock together. People close to him and the senior Party leaders find it difficult to read his mind . He alone knows what is going on in his thinking and what steps he will take and when. My guess is that he will try to spring at the last minute surprise by nominating his only trusted lieutenant to nominate him to Rajya Sabha to test the water. So long as he is alive he will not decide about his successor. He may keep the issue under animated suspension . If he thinks he is right may God help him and his Party to remain relevant in the face of a ruthless opponent in the Centre as well as in the State .