Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Odisha’s main opposition party, is set to conclude its organisational elections by the first week of April, according to a senior party leader.
The announcement was made following a crucial meeting of the party’s coordination committee held at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
BJD leader Pradip Kumar Amat disclosed the details after the meeting, which was chaired by Debi Prasad Mishra, as per the directives of BJD President Naveen Patnaik.
The gathering saw the participation of prominent party leaders, including Prasanna Acharya, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Pramila Mallik, and 13 members of the coordination committee. Several other leaders joined the meeting virtually.
During the meeting, State Returning Officer Pratap Keshari Deb provided a comprehensive overview of the organisational election process.
Amat stated that the election procedures have already commenced, with consultations held among constituency and district-level leaders.
“The District Returning Officers will be appointed in the first week of February, followed by the appointment of Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) and other officials. The entire election process for members of all executive committees and state councils will be completed by the first week of April, ahead of the traditional Odia New Year,” Amat explained.
He further clarified that the newly elected members of the executive committees and state councils will subsequently elect the party president.
Amat also dismissed rumors of internal discord between senior and junior leaders, asserting that the BJD remains united and free from any rebellion.
In preparation for the organisational elections, the party had earlier dissolved all state-level frontal organisations, including the Biju Mahila Janata Dal, Biju Yuva Janata Dal, Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, Biju Shramika Samukhya, and Legal Cell.
The elections for various party bodies will be conducted in four phases.
