Bhubaneswar( Zee Kalinga Live) : Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was elected as the President of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the consecutive 9 times. As none from the regional party had filed nomination for the president post, he was elected unopposed.The BJD formally announced the result at Shankh Bhawan on today .
“I thank all for giving me opportunity for one more time to serve the people. I am indebted to all for your love and affection,” Naveen in his address after announcement of the result.On the occasion, he remembered his father late Biju Patnaik.
“I pay my tribute to our beloved leader late Biju Patnaik on this special occasion. His ideology has always been showing us the path,” he said. Addressing the BJD leaders and workers at Shankh Bhawan, he termed the era in Odisha ruled by the BJD a ‘golden age’.
“With the blessings of people of Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal had got the opportunity to serve them from 2000 to 2024. This was the golden era for Odisha during the period. Odisha had become a model state for many states for its pioneering work in various sectors,” he said.
Amid rift within the party, he said, “Nobody should underestimate this organisational strength of the Biju Janata Dal. The spirit of all BJD leaders is high. They are the real asset of our party. Our principles and ideology are the strength. Be in the government or not, the BJD has been serving people of Odisha and will continue it. Our focus is to empower women, farmers, youngsters and tribal as well as regional development. The BJD is always with Odisha for upholding its pride and respect. We will continue fight for the interest and rights of Odisha. Odia Pride and Odisha’s interest are the top priority for us.”
Encouraging the party workers, the party’s re-elected president said, “We missed the last election with a narrow margin even though the BJD got more popular votes. This is because we could not effectively counter their (BJP) false narratives. Even now, creating the false narratives is the main strategy against the BJD. We should be aggressive in exposing these false narratives, especially in social media. We need to strongly improve our social media presence. Technology should be used to tell facts and without technology we cannot reach out to people.”
The BJD leaders felicitated Naveen with presenting a Khandua Patta at the event. They expressed their pleasure after Naveen was elected as their party chief for one more time.
“The countless workers and leaders of the Biju Janata Dal had been eagerly waiting for the moment to see Naveen Patnaik to be re-elected as the party’s supremo. Under his leadership, we all will work as the alert soldiers and will bring the party to power again in 2029,” said BJD leader Pradeep Majhi.
The party president will select the workers and members in 7th round of organisational elections for 2025. The party’s State Council and Executive Committee will take decision regarding the appointment, informed BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra.
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