Training camps to war rooms: BJD, BJP, Congress in Odisha prepping up for big fight

From training camps to war rooms to special campaigns, it seems that major political parties including the ruling BJD, opposition parties, the BJP and Congress have now shifted gears and have come up with new strategies ahead of the crucial 2024 elections.

The ruling BJD’s mega training programme was kicked off at party headquarters- the Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar today. The training programme will continue for a period of 39 days. The leaders from constituencies- from ward to panchayat levels- will be imparted training on a daily basis. The party aims to train 200 warriors from each constituency.

On the first day, training was imparted to the leaders from Hinjili, Bhanjanagar, Cuttack-Choudwar and Jagatsinghpur. Importantly, feedback was also taken on the performance of the local MLAs, implementation of government schemes, organisational position and other aspects as well.

Discussions were also held to resolve issues including the brewing resentment and infighting within the party, proper election management and checking the anti-incumbency factor as well.

The party seems to be laying emphasis on reaching every voter and every household this time.

“Development is our key agenda and success is also being reviewed. Those, who are being trained, will sensitize others and our focus is to reach all households,” said senior BJD leader, Debi Prasad Mishra.

The BJP is also not far behind. The party is continuing with its agitation over local issues at every panchayat. The leaders have been given booth-level responsibility as per the voters list and they have been asked to reach every household. The Saffron party has also plans to set up control rooms by combining two Lok Sabha constituencies and a war room will also be set for 10 Lok Sabha mandalis.

“We will set up a call centre by taking two Parliamentary sectors to know various issues and if schemes are reaching the ground. A direct interaction can be done with the workers and other people as well,” said BJP MLA, Mohan Majhi.

The Congress, on the other hand, will shortly launch its campaign, ‘Ghare Ghare Congress, Ghare Ghare Haatha’. The campaign will be launched on September 25 and will continue till October 15.

“Our leaders and workers will visit all households and distribute leaflets. After this, training programmes will begin,” said Odisha PCC President, Sarat Pattanayak.