Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main opposition party in Odisha, officially launched its membership drive on Wednesday. Party president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was the first to renew his membership during the campaign, which coincided with the birth anniversary of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das.
Addressing party workers, Patnaik expressed pride in being a member of the BJD, stating that the party has earned the trust of the people of Odisha. “BJD is the largest political party in the state, and the overwhelming support in recent elections shows the strong bond between the party and the people. We are all proud to be BJD workers,” he said.
Patnaik emphasized that the core values of the BJD—sacrifice and service—are rooted in the principles of Gopabandhu Das, and that the membership drive is essential for reinforcing the party’s organizational structure.
In an appeal to Odia people living outside the state, Patnaik invited them to join the BJD, highlighting that the party had made online registration available for their convenience. “I urge those living outside Odisha to become part of our movement. The party has made it easy for them to sign up online and be part of our family,” he said.
Patnaik took a subtle swipe at rival parties, particularly the BJP, for their use of a “missed call” system for membership enrollment, contrasting this with BJD’s personal approach. “Some parties rely on missed calls as their membership book, but we go beyond that. Our leaders will personally reach out to people and invite them to join the BJD,” he said.
He reiterated that the BJD remains committed to the welfare and dignity of the people of Odisha, stating that his government’s initiatives have set an example for others, including the Central government. “No one can deny the people of Odisha the benefits of the development and welfare schemes we have introduced,” Patnaik added.
The BJD’s membership drive will continue for two months, concluding on December 9.
Debi Prasad Mishra, the party’s vice president, noted that the campaign aims to surpass the previous membership figure of over 10 million. Mishra said the focus will be on enrolling students and women, with membership drives being conducted in district headquarters across the state, both online and offline.
The campaign will involve forming committees at various levels, from wards to panchayats, to ensure effective participation and engagement.
