Bhubaneswar: As part of the Biju Janata Dal’s 23rd Foundation Day, party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday announced that the ruling party will survive him and can grow without him.
Patnaik made the statement amidst speculations about his political successor in the party. “Biju Janata Dal is not a political party and it is not dependent on anyone including me for its survival and growth,” Naveen said addressing party leaders and workers.
In his address, the BJD supremo tried to encourage efforts of his party leaders and dispel their dilemma about the party’s future. Earlier, he had stated that people of Odisha will decide his true successor.
Patnaik’s statement at this juncture is considered politically significant to silence his opponents who have criticised BJD as a person-centric party whose fate hinges on to Patnaik.
Set up on December 26, 1997 the party has been winning poll after poll with Naveen Patnaik at the helm for the past five consecutive terms since 2000. He has never created scope for a second power centre in his party and government.
Quoting his father Biju Patnaik, the Chief Minister said, “Do not be loyal to me but be loyal to the cause of Odisha’s destiny. These words from him (Biju Babu) has enthused the party to become a people’s movement.” BJD has become a movement of four and half crore people of Odisha for empowerment and development, he claimed.Stating that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals are an inspiration for all, the BJD chief put forth a new objective before his party workers.
“Four and half crore people of Odisha are our family. Through vmandate, they have given us responsibility, not power. This is an important opportunity to serve our family. We all are working with this inspiration,” he said.
The BJD chief further said his party’s objective is not to win polls. It is working 365 days a year to win the hearts of people. Adopting this policy, the BJD has become an identity of Odisha’s development, he pointed out.
Patnaik also greeted BJD activists and leaders for their dedication and sacrifice that act as ‘oxygen’ to provide energy to the party.
However, the BJD chief did not utter anything against the ruling BJP or government at the Centre though his party colleague Ashok Panda raised issues like non-revision of coal royalty and low funding in railways sector to Odisha.
