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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Debabrata Mohapatra | TNN

BJD not dependent on one or two persons, will serve Odisha for 100 more years: CM Naveen Patnaik

PURI: Scotching the general perception that the ruling BJD is run by a handful of politicians and bureaucrats, the party president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik, while addressing a huge gathering on the occasion of his party’s 25th foundation day event at Puri on Monday said the party is never dependent on one or two persons.

Naveen (76) used the silver jubilee flatform to convey that the BJD will serve people of Odisha for 100 more years notwithstanding little clarity about his successor and perceived uncertainty in people’s mind about BJD’s fate after him.

“BJD never depended on one person or two persons and will never follow this in future. BJD is a social movement. It is a movement to take Odisha’s hope, trust and pride to the next level. Every household must participate in this movement. Mothers and sisters should come forward and lead from the front. With the blessings of mothers and sisters, the Biju Janata Dal will serve the people not 25 or 50, but 100 years. The conch symbol (our party symbol) will glorify the Odia pride,” Naveen said.

Launching his party’s preparations for the general elections, scheduled in 2024, Naveen gave a clarion call to his party workers to serve the people and win their hearts. Naveen described his party workers as the ‘soul’ of BJD and said welfare of people and development of Odisha should be their main agenda.

"You are empowering BJD. At the field level, you are countering the opposition and have been able to reach out to the people with the party’s message,” Naveen said.

The chief minister justified the reasons for people's continuous trust in the BJD since 2000. “Our first duty is our state and its people. BJD will continue to work for Odia pride, Odisha’s interest, development, glory, language and culture,” Naveen said. He stated that the people have been reposing faith in BJD due to Biju babu’s (his late father and former chief minister Biju Patnaik) ideology, BJD’s transparent, clean and professionally run government and women empowerment.

Naveen said the agenda of a national party will always revolve around national politics. He said only one regional party – Biju Janata Dal will ensure Odisha’s development.

"Odisha has transformed in the last 20 years. Our model of food security is being applauded in world forums. Seeing our infrastructure and transparent governance, many investors evinced interest to invest in Odisha," Naveen said.

Naveen said those, who want to contribute to Odisha's development and want to serve the state, should join the BJD. “I appeal to those, be it any professional, artiste, social worker or sports person or farmers, as well as the youths who have vision for a new Odisha, they should come and join the BJD which is Odisha’s party,” Naveen said.

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