Bhubaneswar: Amid talks about a major revamp in the party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday held an important meeting of senior leaders in Bhubaneswar. The crucial meeting was held at Naveen Niwas, the residence of BJD president Naveen Patnaik.
Chaired by Naveen, the meeting was attended by key senior leaders, including Debi Prasad Mishra, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Pratap Keshari Deb, Pranab Prakash Das, and Arun Sahoo.
The deliberations at the meeting focused the formation of the new executive committee of the party. As the 81-member team of office bearers is likely to be announces soon, the BJD chief held detailed discussions with senior leaders and sought their views in an effort to ensure a balanced body, party sources said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, senior leader and former Minister Arun Sahoo said the decisions regarding composition of the executive body will be taken in phases. “Naveen Babu will take the final decision as to who will hold which position in the party,” he said.
While dismissing speculations about internal conflict in the BJD, Sahoo claimed that there is no rift or rebellion within the organisation.
The meeting assumed immense significance as it took place at a time when political parties are actively preparing for the rural polls in the state. The meeting was part of an exercise to strengthen unity in the party ahead of the panchayat elections.
Highlighting the importance of stability and decisiveness, some BJD leaders targeted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on several issues, including the delay in deciding a new state party president.
