Naveen Patnaik Calls Oppn ‘Anti-People’ At Launch Of BJD’s ‘Jan Sampark Padayatra’

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched ‘Jan Sampark Padayatra’ here on Monday, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, to highlight the Odisha government’s welfare programmes among people.

Speaking on the occasion, Naveen paid tributes to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary, saying that he has been a source of inspiration for all. “The ruling BJD has been working to uplift downtrodden, women, ST and SC community and also the youth of the state. The women’s reservation bill, which the party has long been fighting for, has finally seen the light of the day. The government’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana has proved to be a game changer in health sector. The state has also set example in transforming schools, food safety and sports,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, he added, “The Opposition is anti-development and anti-people. They only mislead people with wrong information. They indulge in such activities ahead of election because of which the people of the state have been rejecting them year after year. They also attempted to the ongoing development works at Jagannath Temple in Puri and Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. People will never elect them to power.”

The ‘padayatra’ is being organised in every ward and panchayat throughout Odisha till October 11. BJD workers and leaders will also attend training camps, which will be organised in all the assembly constituencies and monitored by district presidents, observers and other senior leaders. Blood donation camps and plantation drives will also be conducted across the state during this period, sources said.

Notably, the BJD’s ‘padayatra’ coincides with Congress’ ongoing ‘Ghar Ghar Congress’ programme, which will continue till October 15.