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Bhubaneswar: Voices at the BJP headquarters in Bhubaneswar cheered in unison when former MP Baijayant Panda, the newest member of the saffron party, reiterated that the people of Odisha desire a change. All the members of the Bharatiya Janata Party along with Panda's supporters present at the welcome ceremony raised slogans of 'Paribartan Heijau' when Panda began his address at the party office.
Jay Panda targeted the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government over multiple issues starting from the chit fund scam, rising atrocities against women and girl children, the plight of farmers and the misutilisation of state exchequer by the ruling government in Odisha.
"So many politicians of the ruling-BJD are involved in several chit fund scams worth over Rs 20,000 crore. Lakhs of Odia families who had deposited their hard-earned money with the companies have lost everything. But still these corrupt leaders are given shelter, protected by the party," he stated.
Lakhs of farmers who raised their voices for price, prestige and pension were thrashed, dragged on roads and arrested by police.
The Biju Yuva Vahini is termed as Biju Gunda Vahini by people here in Odisha as well as outside. The party that was formed after the name of Biju Babu now doesn't even remember the ideologies of the legendary leader.
Wherever I go, I get to know that people want change and their voice echoes in my mind. And yes, this BJD will be eliminated.
Sufficient funds are available for advertisements. But there is no fund for cold storages, health centres, and development of schools and colleges. This system needs to be changed and the time is ripe.
I have always praised Modi ji's policies on ground even when I was not in BJP. BJD was formed 22 years ago as an ally of the BJP and I was given the responsibility right from the beginning. But sadly, with the growing corruption and violence, and the rising atrocities against women and girl children, it's unfortunate the party has deviated from the initial policies.
I have not changed. Just the old party has changed. As far as my principles and policies are concerned, I am at the right place now.
-- Jay Panda during his address.
While welcoming Jay Panda to the saffron party, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Police personnel are being attacked by the ruling-BJD members and these hooligans are enjoying the patronage of 'third floor'."
On Tuesday, three-time BJD MP from Dhenkanal Tathagata Satpathy decided to quit politics saying that the time has come that people who are now old and have been elected multiple times should step down to make way for new ideas and new policymakers.
Quoting Tathagata's statements, Pradhan said, "Naveen's own party MP Tathagata Satpathy's statements are apt for him and he should take rest now."
