General elections 2024: Speculations rife over BJD’s Parivaar Sampark Abhiyan after padayatra

Ahead of the crucial 2024 general elections, there seems to be urgency among the political parties- BJD, BJP, and the Congress to make rapid inroads in Odisha.

While the BJD has opted for the ‘Parivaar Sampark’ campaign, the BJP is gearing up to connect with 1 crore families and the Congress leaders will tour across Odisha in buses.

Interestingly, the ruling BJD has now opted for the Parivaar Sampark campaign after its traditional padayatra. The party plans to touch every household during the campaign that will start from Netaji Jayanti and continue till Biju Jayanti. The decision of the BJD to launch Parivaar Sampark campaign comes despite the extension of its padayatra. 

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Speculations are now rife that the BJD did not get the desired output from the padayatra, which also led to infighting between groups within the party. Rival groups within the party took out parallel padayatras while at some places; controversies erupted as several names were announced for party tickets during the padayatras.

It is for these reasons that it is suspected that the BJD decided to undertake Parivaar Sampark Abhiyan as a cover-up. It is also said that it will be a platform to create awareness about probable party candidates.

BJD leader Sashi Bhusan Behera said, “BJD will reach door-to-door and try to identify problems and review how far the government schemes are being implemented by the workers themselves."

Meanwhile, the opposition is also undertaking several measures to counter BJD’s move. The BJP is continuing with its mission to connect with 1 crore houses in the state. Through its Shakti Vandan initiative, the party is also eyeing to reach out to the women voters.

BJP leader Bhrugu Baxipatra said, “BJD has been in power for the last 24 years and they are yet to understand people’s problems. The BJP, on the other hand, is continuing with its Gaon Chalo programme.”

Moreover, the party is looking to attract new voters by launching a special programme on National Voters Day.

On the other hand, the Congress is also busy with its ‘Ghare Ghare Congress’ campaign, and its top leaders are all set to tour Odisha in a bus from February 1, 2024.

“They (BJD & BJP) are doing Ghar Ghar yatra to influence people so that they will vote for them. But there is no possibility for them to get votes this time as the Congress will attain majority here,” said Senior Congress leader, Jayadev Jena.