Bhubaneswar: For the first time in his over two-decade-long political career, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday indicated at the future of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), saying it was a people’s movement and depended on no leader, including him, for survival.
“BJD is not just a political party dependent on any particular leader, including me, for its survival and growth. It is a movement for Odisha’s empowerment and is rooted in the faith of 4.5 crore Odias,” Naveen said at the 23rd foundation day celebrations of the regional party here.
Recalling the words “Don’t be loyal to me but be loyal to the cause of Odisha ‘s destiny” of his legendary father and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, Naveen noted: “True to his words, BJD has now become a peoples’ movement.”
Naveen’s statements assume great political significance and comes amid speculation over his successor. In his consecutive fifth term as CM, Naveen has beaten several odds and kept his political opponents at bay to become one of the longest-serving CMs of the country.
Amid talks of decreasing energy levels, the 73-year-old has not yet appointed anyone as his heir apparent and even placed on record that no one from his family would join politics. However, political and media circles have not stopped from speculating the possibility of his nephew Arun Patnaik entering the political arena.
Naveen choosing the birthday of the ruling party, of which he is the founder president since 1997, to say that the BJD did not depend on him seems to be a well-calibrated strategy to prepare the rank and file for the future.
He referred to the humane talisman given by the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi for public service and said, “We consider the 4.5 crore people of Odisha as our family. Hence, we do not see power as a means to rule or administer but as a great opportunity to serve our own family with integrity and commitment.”
He also said that the BJD does not work to win elections, but works round-the-clock to win the hearts of our people. “By following these principles. the Biju Janata Dal will be the image/identity of Odisha’s development and the symbol of our peoples’ faith and aspirations,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister congratulated the party workers for their hard work and sacrifice in strengthening the party.