Naveen Takes Historic Decision, Announces BJD to Field 27% OBC Candidates for Panchayat Elections

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today announced to field 27 per cent OBC candidates in the upcoming Panchayat elections.

The historic decision was taken by BJD supermo Naveen Patnaik, informed senior party leaders Ranendra Pratap Swain and Arun Sahoo at a press meet here on Friday.

The BJD will also reserve seats for the OBC candidates in future elections, the leaders said.

The BJD has appealed to other political parties to take similar steps.

The Naveen-led party had created history in the national politics during 2019 elections by fielding 33 per cent of women candidates for Parliamentary constituencies.