Bhubaneswar: Opportunistic people leaving the Biju Janata Dal will only strengthen us to fight with our blood and sweat for our idea of a prosperous Odisha, said BJD President and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik here on Wednesday.
Without taking the names of Sujeet Kumar and Mamata Mohanta, who recently resigned from Rajya Sabha and joined the BJP, Naveen said, “The BJD is not dependent on individuals. The party was founded on the principles of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, who envisioned a developed and empowered Odisha. Opportunistic individuals leaving BJD will only strengthen us to fight with our blood and sweat for our idea of a prosperous Odisha”.
Addressing the district-level office bearers of the BJD’s youth wing, Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD), Naveen said, “As long as we work towards Biju Babu’s vision, the BJD will remain strong and continue to live in the hearts of the people”.
The BJD President urged the youth to embrace this vision and work tirelessly to achieve it. Noting the significant influence of social media, Naveen encouraged the youth to be active on these platforms and combat misinformation and falsehoods with vigor.
He also advised party members to engage in social activities such as blood donation, environmental protection, and supporting the disadvantaged, to contribute to a strong and empowered Odisha.
The LoP has come down heavily on the ruling BJP for its reliance on falsehoods.
He said, “Merely speaking lies loudly does not make them true. It has been three months since the new government took office, and it should focus on delivering results through hard work instead of making grandiose claims”.
The BJD supremo also accused the BJP government of double standards, particularly regarding the announcements of the Subhadra Yojana for women, free electricity, and increased social security allowances.
“You may win elections through deceit, but not the hearts of the people,” Naveen said.
Naveen also strongly condemned recent debates over the renaming of Ravenshaw University in Cuttack.
“Some people are trying to impose their own thinking on others, which is unacceptable in a democratic society”, Naveen said.
He also urged the youth leaders of the party to serve the people following the ideologies of “Seva (service), Swabhiman (self-respect), and Sangram (struggle)”.