Puri, Oct 09 :
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday launched its state-level Jan Sampark Padayatra from Suando village in Puri district, the birthplace of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, to strengthen grassroots connections and highlight what it described as the failures of the current BJP government in Odisha.
Senior BJD leaders, including party vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra, flagged off the campaign after paying floral tributes at the statues of the Pancha Sakha at Sakhigopal. The padyatra will continue from October 9 to November 9, covering all 147 Assembly constituencies and 314 blocks across the state.
Party leaders said the campaign aims to spread awareness about the welfare programmes launched during the previous Naveen Patnaik government and collect feedback from people about ongoing issues such as rising prices, unemployment, and farmers’ problems.
“The BJD’s padyatra will expose the BJP government’s failures in law and order, women’s safety, and welfare delivery. We will take the people’s voice to every village,” Mishra said.
The padyatra will include public meetings, interaction with self-help groups, and social service activities such as blood donation camps and plantation drives.
The BJD, which ruled Odisha for 24 years until 2024, is now in the opposition after the BJP formed the government following the Assembly elections earlier this year.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders termed the padyatra a “political gimmick” and said the government’s welfare schemes are being implemented effectively.
