Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is celebrating its 19th foundation day Monday. While the party has chalked out plans to celebrate the occasion in all constituencies across the state, opposition Congress is set to stage a road blockade in the capital as a mark of protest.
BJD was formed December 26, 1997, following the demise of Janata Dal heavyweight Biju Patnaik, the father of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Chief Minister has urged party MPs, MLAs, senior leaders, and district presidents to celebrate the day. He asked BJD leaders and activists to highlight the welfare measures and development activities taken by the BJD government during over its 16-year regime. Naveen is also scheduled to address a meeting of BJD functionaries to mark the occasion at the party headquarters here.
The party, which has its sights set on panchayat elections February 2017, is to also highlight Centre’s “neglect” towards the state. Party functionaries are also awaiting the high command to spell out its strategy for panchayat elections at the meet.
The Congress, in turn, has announced that it will organise a two-hour road blockade at district headquarters across the state Monday. The blockade is to be effected from 10am to 12pm, the party said.
Congress leader Pradeep Majhi said the protest was aimed at condemning the state government’s anti-tribal policies. He reiterated that the Congress will intensify its activities in the days ahead of panchayat elections.
Other party leaders pointed out that while the families of SUM Hospital fire mishap victims were provided with compensation of `12 lakh, the government has announced only `3 lakh for the kin of Japanese encephalitis victims.
They said the government was responsible for deaths in Kandhamal firing, the malnutrition deaths at Nagada and the Dana Majhi episode.
Meanwhile, BJP state unit president Basant Panda said his party will give the BJD and the Congress a tough fight at panchayat elections.
He said the party will finalise its candidates for the polls between December 27 and January 3 and will chalk out plans for party activities accordingly.
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