BJD’s Jana Sampark Abhiyan halts midway

Bhubaneswar: BJD’s plan to attract young voters with the ‘Yuva-Chhatra Jana Sampark Abhiyan’ programme has hit a roadblock due to internal squabble.

The programme, which was initially launched in Nabarangpur and Koraput districts in September, was suspended abruptly after some activists raised objections about the way the programme was conducted, said sources.

The party’s district office bearers were ignored and were not called to meetings held under the programme. Displeasure simmered over priority to MP Anubhav Mohanty at the programme despite presence of other celebrities such as Siddhant Mohapatra and Arindam Ray within the party, sources added.

The programme was suspended when resented BJD activists lodged complaints with party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, added sources.

On the other hand, BJD youth wing president Amaresh Patri dismissed talks of intra-party rift and stated the Jan Sampark Abhiyan programme will be held in phases.

Patri added, “New party organisational committees have been formed and therefore, the programme will be conducted in phases with participation from district-level activists.”

Echoing similar views BJD spokesperson Arun Sahoo said, “As the party has taken up several programmes, everything is being done in phases.”

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