Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday called upon party leaders and workers to intensify preparations for the forthcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections in Odisha, while urging them to remain vigilant during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

 

Addressing an organisational meeting of the party’s candidates who contested the 2024 Assembly elections at the BJD headquarters here, Patnaik said Odisha had earned a unique and positive identity across the country during the BJD’s uninterrupted 24-year tenure, driven by remarkable achievements in multiple sectors.

 

Highlighting the party’s governance record, the former Chief Minister said Odisha had emerged as a model state in disaster management, food security, healthcare, education, sports, irrigation and infrastructure development. 
He noted that several welfare programmes implemented by the BJD government had significantly benefited farmers, women and economically weaker sections of society.

 

With local body elections on the horizon, Patnaik asked party workers to begin preparations with confidence and commitment. 

 

He also stressed the growing importance of digital engagement and urged leaders to strengthen the party’s outreach through social media platforms.

 

Expressing concern over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Patnaik described the process as a matter of utmost importance.

 

Referring to reports of irregularities during similar exercises in some other states, he cautioned party members to closely monitor the revision process and ensure that no eligible voter is deprived of voting rights due to minor clerical or typographical errors.

 

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP government in the state, Patnaik alleged that Odisha’s law-and-order situation had deteriorated significantly over the past two years. 

 

He claimed that incidents of murder, rape, robbery and crimes against women had risen alarmingly, creating an atmosphere of fear among the people.

 

The BJD president further alleged that the state's economic health had weakened under the present administration. 
He said that when the BJD demitted office, it had left behind a revenue surplus of Rs 45,000 crore, but the state's debt burden had continued to mount thereafter.

 

Patnaik also voiced concern over reports that elderly citizens and differently-abled beneficiaries were facing difficulties in receiving social security pensions under the current government. 

 

He remarked that Odisha had never witnessed such levels of administrative disarray under any previous regime.
Referring to the party’s recently concluded Nari Adhikar Abhiyan, Patnaik said the overwhelming response to the campaign reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the BJP government and increasing demand for change. 
He particularly criticized what he termed the BJP’s “deceptive approach” towards women’s reservation.

 

Thanking party workers for ensuring the success of the statewide campaign, Patnaik also expressed gratitude to thousands of women who participated despite the scorching summer heat. 

 

He noted that the programme had been successfully conducted across all Assembly constituencies of Odisha, demonstrating the party’s strong grassroots connect and organisational strength.