Bhubaneswar: It may be one of the most direct hints that BJD president and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has dropped about the party's future leadership. On Thursday Naveen stirred the hornet’s nest during his address at party’s foundation day celebrations by saying that BJD is not dependent on him for survival.
“Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is not a political party and it is not dependent on some or other leaders including me for its survival and growth.”
The statements from Patnaik have come at a time when there have been speculations about the future leadership of the party. It is pertinent to mention here that Patnaik had put an end to speculations by stating that “People of Odisha will choose their leader.’
Many believe that today’s statements of Naveen are a clear signal the party is already discussing about the leadership post Naveen.
Patnaik also said, “Biju Babu used to say that do not be loyal to me but be loyal to the cause of Odisha’s destiny. True to his words, BJD has now become a people’s movement.”
Patnaik further stated that Mahatma Gandhi’s Talisman is an inspiration for all and urged party workers to treat every individual in the State as part of their family and serve them with utmost care and dedication.
“We do not work to win elections rather we work 365 days to win people’s heart,” Patnaik said.