Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) foundation day celebration on Tuesday assumes signification keeping in view the 2024 general elections. The party, which has never lost an election since it was formed on December 26, 1997, aims to further consolidate its hold on the electorate to give a sixth term to its president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to serve the state and its people.
In 1997, when Naveen formed the BJD and named the party after his legendary father and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, he was new to politics. A quarter century later, he is the face of Odisha steering the party as well as the state to new heights. While the party is a formidable force in the state today, his government has transformed Odisha from a ‘BIMARU’ state to an aspirational state.
Soon after its formation, the BJD along with the BJP ousted the Congress from power and formed a coalition government with the saffron brigade till 2009. However, after the Kandhamal riots in 2008, Naveen parted ways with the BJP and fought the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections solo in 2009.
Since the launch of the party, the BJD has not lost any election and Naveen continues to be the Chief Minister of Odisha for five consecutive terms since 2000.
Through effectively managing calamities, improving the state of the economy, fostering the growth of industry, and, most importantly, guaranteeing political stability, the BJD has ushered in a new era in the history of Odisha. Following cyclone Phailin, Odisha gained international respect for its effective disaster management.
The secret of success lies in the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision. Time and again, he has said that his party is accountable to the people of Odisha, who have turned the BJD into a social movement. On the occasion of the party’s 25th foundation day, Naveen announced, “Behind the success of BJD was the dream of the people for a prosperous and strong Odisha. The party will work for the next 100 years with the support of all citizens of Odisha.” At the same time, Naveen acknowledged the selfless work of the party workers for the success and the ever-increasing popularity of the party, especially among the women and farmers. There is no doubt that the women-centric welfare programmes of the BJD government have been the major contributing factor to the party’s success over the years.
The social welfare prgrammes like ‘Mo Sarkar’, ‘5T’ initiative, and ‘Nabin Odisha’ have helped the BJD to reach out to the people and, in turn, make it a powerful regional party. For the last 26 years, the BJD has been working unremittingly for the development of the people of Odisha. Its strength and popularity have grown with each passing year, winning all major elections. Now, the party is gearing up for the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
