Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the party has always been and will be the voice of women. It was Biju Babu who laid the foundation for women’s empowerment across the country, Patnaik said while addressing Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD)’s organizational meeting at party headquarters Sankha Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.
Patnaik emphasized his party’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing the success of Mission Shakti, which has united 70 lakh women and transformed them into active participants in development activities.
He urged the members of the party’s woman wing to expose the “lies” of the BJP, accusing the party of betraying the trust of women and the public.
The former chief minister criticized the BJP’s Subhadra Yojana, saying it had reneged on its election promise to provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to each woman in the state within two years, instead announcing reduced assistance of Rs 5,000 every six months over five years.
He also slammed the BJP’s unfulfilled promise of providing 300 units of free electricity, accusing the party’s leaders of making grand announcements during elections but failing to deliver.
“The BJP should not betray the trust of women and the public,” Patnaik said, urging the BMJD to take on a significant role in exposing the BJP’s “lies” and increasing female membership in the party.
Speaking on the reservation for women in Parliament and State Assembly, Patnaik said that it is expected that finally reservation for women may come in loksabha and state Assemblies.
“So we should be fully prepared and our membership drive should focus on enrolling more and more women. I would be actively giving more responsibilities to women in party organisation”, he said.
