BJD’s organisational election returning officer PK Deb announced the 78-year-old Patnaik as party president during a state council meeting at its headquarters, Sankha Bhawan.
After being named BJD president, Patnaik remarked, “Although we lost the last assembly election by a slim margin, we secured more votes. This happened because we failed to effectively counter the false narrative. The creation of a misleading narrative is a key strategy against the BJD. We must be proactive in exposing this, particularly on social media.”
The opposition leader in the Odisha assembly further emphasized, “Enhancing our social media presence is crucial. We must leverage technology to convey the truth and facts; without it, reaching the people is challenging.”
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Patnaik, the founding president of the regional party, was the sole candidate for the post. “Patnaik was elected as the BJD president unopposed,” noted Deb.
In a subtle critique of the ruling BJP, the BJD chief stated, “The organizational strength of our party should not be underestimated. The spirit of our workers remains high. They are our true assets.”
“I have unwavering faith in BJD workers, brothers and sisters. They are the ones who will effectively respond to the propaganda. They will communicate our service message to every village and city in Odisha,” Patnaik expressed. He characterized the period from 2000 to 2024 as the ‘golden age’, during which the BJD governed Odisha.
Beginning his address with a chant of ‘Jai Jagannath’, Patnaik affirmed that the ideology of his father, Biju Patnaik, continues to guide the BJD. “Our principles and ideals are our strength. Regardless of being in government or not, the Biju Janata Dal has always committed itself to serving the people of Odisha and will persist in doing so,” he stated.
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Emphasizing that the welfare of Odisha’s citizens is the primary focus of the BJD, Patnaik reiterated that empowering women, farmers, youth, workers, tribal communities, and fostering regional development are his party’s top priorities.
“The BJD has been dedicated to the pride of Odisha and its interests. Our struggle for the rights of the people of Odisha will endure. The pride of Odisha and the well-being of its citizens are of utmost importance to us,” he asserted.
Upon the announcement of his presidency, district leaders from the party welcomed Patnaik with flowers, paintings, and offerings of Lord Jagannath’s ‘Anga bastra’ and ‘Maha Prasad’.
The state council of the party comprises 355 members, with 80 of them elected as state executives, Deb added. Patnaik becomes BJD president for the ninth time, urging party workers to counter BJP’s ‘false’ narrative.
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