Bhubaneswar: Claiming that the young generation is getting disillusioned with Bharatiya Janata Patry (BJP), Congress in Odisha said that the party is emerging as a strong alternative ahead of the 2029 elections as the county is witnessing a wave of political change.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das’ claim that Gen Z voters are getting united following the party’s strong political stand drew sharp reaction from BJP. Dismissing the Congress claim, BJP asserted that youth in the state are backing the “double-engine” government and its development agenda.
Claiming that the country is set to witness a political change, Das said people are increasingly rejecting BJP and looking for a new political alternative.
The PCC chief credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s firm political stand and the ongoing Gen Z movement for the changing political mood, alleging that the BJP had failed to fulfil the promises it made to young voters during the 2014 elections.
Claiming that people are rejecting the BJP and embracing a new direction, he said the Gen Z movement and Rahul Gandhi’s strong stand have shown the way forward.
The Congress leader further alleged that the Odisha government had lost public confidence within two years of coming to power, accusing it of failing across multiple sectors
The recent bypoll results reflected growing public dissatisfaction, Das said, predicting a major political movement in Odisha in the coming years.
According to Das, the Congress sees growing political opportunities ahead of the 2029 elections and believes that Gen Z voters will stand with the party.
Strongly rejecting the PCC chief’s remarks, BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty accused the opposition of attempting to mislead the younger generation.
Alleging that anti-national elements were using the name of Gen Z to stage protests and mislead the public. he claimed that Odisha’s youth support development and progress under the BJP-led governments.
Odisha’s Gen Z is progressive and committed to the state’s development. The double-engine government has taken several initiatives for youth, including in education, employment and other social sectors. Young people are satisfied with the government’s work,” Mohanty said.
The BJP legislator also expressed confidence that Gen Z voters would support the BJP-led state government in the upcoming Panchayat elections, citing welfare and development initiatives for farmers, youth and women.