Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik will lead the party’s Jan Sampark Padayatra in Bhubaneswar on October 16, which also marks his birthday. The announcement was made by senior party leader and former Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Ashok Chandra Panda on Monday.
Traditionally, the BJD conducts the statewide padayatra from October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. However, this year, the schedule was revised due to Durga Puja falling on the same date. The party instead launched the month-long campaign on October 9, marking Gopabandhu Jayanti.
“The padayatra has already started across the state and is currently underway. As part of this, a special padayatra will be held in the Ganganagar area under Ward No 52 of the Ekamra-Bhubaneswar Assembly constituency on October 16,” Panda said.
Patnaik is scheduled to take part in the event at Biju Adarsh Colony in Ganganagar, where party members and the public are expected to greet him with birthday wishes. Following the padayatra, he will visit the SOS Children’s Village and distribute sweets to the children in celebration of the occasion.
The Jan Sampark Padayatra is part of the BJD’s outreach programme, aimed at connecting with the public and strengthening its grassroots presence.
