Why Is BJD Launching Awareness Campaign Across Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to launch an awareness campaign against the BJP government from August 16 to highlight alleged “betrayal” regarding the old-age pension scheme. In a post on his X handle, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has mounted a scathing attack on the BJP over pension scheme. Accusing the BJP government of having failed to fulfil its poll promises, Naveen said the statewide campaign will be launched in all the gram panchayats of the state. “The BJD will fight for the rights of the elderly. All party workers and conscious citizens will be involved in the campaign and make people aware about BJP’s betrayal,” he said. However, what is the real motive behind the move to launch the awareness campaign. People are keen to know as to why the regional party is set to launch the campaign in all gram panchayats.

Taking a dig at the BJD over the campaign plan, BJP MLA Ashok Mohanty told media that people of the state are very much aware and that is why they have voted the regional party out of power after 24 years. The whole exercise aims at ensuring survival of the BJD and prevent the party from disintegrating, he claimed.

Attempt To Save the Fort

The BJD, which has been ousted from power after 24 years, maintained its grip at the ground level as long as it was the ruling party in the state. The morale of the party workers at the grassroots level seems to have been severely affected after the defeat in the recent elections. As a result, the party is now stung by a fear of disintegrating and collapsing. There are reports of leaders and workers quitting the BJD in several districts. Therefore, the BJD seeks to keep its flocs together in every panchayat by organising the awareness campaign. Ahead of the campaign, top leaders of the youth and student wings of the party have started visiting different districts to hold discussion with workers. Party functionaries have been asked to tell people about the welfare schemes launched by the previous BJD government.

Eye On Panchayat, ULB Elections

The performance of the BJD in the last panchayat and urban local bodies’ (ULB) polls was highly impressive. The next rural and urban elections will be held after two years and the regional party has now shifted focus on strengthening its organisation. The awareness campaign will primarily aim at keeping the party workers united at the grassroots level. With several panchayat and ULB representatives quitting the BJD, the party needs to take concrete steps to keep the organisation intact. The awareness campaign against the BJP government is planned in view of the ground situation.

Student Union Elections

Student union elections in colleges have not been held since 2018. The BJD enjoyed complete monopoly in students’ politics without holding elections all these years. However, after the BJP came to power, Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj has given positive signals about college union elections. The BJD is gearing up to put up a good show in students union elections. Students and youth will be asked to play a significant role in the awareness campaign.

Focus On Unity At Grassroots

When BJD was in power, it was often alleged that party leaders were unable to meet Naveen Patnaik, who had virtually become inaccessible. However, after being dislodged from power, Naveen is meeting grassroots level leaders. While meeting panchayat and block representatives, the party chief is advising them to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots. After tribal leader Mamata Mahanta quit the BJD and Rajya Sabha membership, the party is trying its best to save the organisation from crumbling. Though BJP has been in power only for two months, the BJD does not want to leave any stone unturned to corner the government. The regional party has prepared a roadmap to take on the BJP government on several key issues as part of efforts to regain people’s trust.