BJD’s 2-day long workshop kick starts in Bhubaneswar, BJP criticises  

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday launched its two-day long workshop at Baramunda ground in Bhubaneswar where top leaders of the party addressed party workers and discussed the issues they will take to the public during the padyatra which is scheduled to begin on October 2.

According to sources, all MLAs, MPs, district presidents, Zilla Parishad members, block chairmen and mayors of three municipal corporations of the state will be present during the last day of the workshop.

During the two-day meeting, the top brass of the party will impart training to workers on how to make people aware about the various state-sponsored development schemes and CM Naveen’s role in the development of Odisha.

“All workers of the party including MPs, MLAs have gathered here to attend the workshop. You all will prepare plans to make the padyatra programme a success. Our party always works for the betterment of people of the State. You must work on how people will be aware of various state government sponsored schemes and take benefits out of it,” said CM Naveen Patnaik while addressing the gathering virtually.

Notably, BJD will launch a month-long padyatra starting from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2.

Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi questioned why BJD has organized a workshop on the same day when BJP chief JP Nadda is visiting the state.

“BJD organised its programme today in a haste after coming to know about BJP national president JP Nadda's two-day visit to Odisha. Has fear gripped the BJD?” asked the senior BJP leader.

Sarangi said, “Despite police and district administration’s efforts to restrict people from attending BJP’s programme at Janata Maidan, our workers from across the state have attended the event.” 

Reacting to Sarangi’s comment, minister Pramila Malik said “We are not organising padyatra for the first time. Like BJP, we are not borrowing ministers from neighbouring states rather we are supporting our only leader CM Naveen Patnaik. Naveen Patnaik’s mantra will work in Odisha, nothing else.”