Bhubaneswar: In an aim to expand its base, ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday launched a membership drive targeting an increase in its total number of members to one crore from 47 lakh.
Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik launched the programme here at party headquarters. The drive will continue till October end.
Wishing party workers on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Naveen said, “BJD is the party of the people of Odisha. All 4.5 crore people are the family members of BJD. The party has blessings of each individual from every town, village and house of the state.”
Through the membership drive, he told party workers to meet the people of the state again and inquire about their wellbeing. “We will meet farmers, youth and common man and seek their blessings. We will ask about their wellbeing. With their blessings we will further strengthen the party,” Naveen said.
The BJD chief hoped that the membership drive will be a grand success with the support of the people of the state. The drive that will be held both online and offline this time will continue till October 31. Four active members from each ward, five from each NAC, 15 from each municipality and 40 from corporation will be engaged in the drive.
Naveen will personally review the progress of the membership drive once in every 15 days till October 31.
“As per the provisions of our party’s bylaw, members have to renew their membership every three years. Party president Naveen Patnaik got himself enrolled as a primary member of the party today. He also enrolled 24 more and became an active member of the party,” said BJD vice president Prasanna Acharya.
BJD’s Aadhaar link plan flayed
The Opposition BJP and Congress Monday slammed the ruling party for its decision to make Aadhaar linking mandatory for new membership. While BJP accused the ruling party of threatening existing beneficiaries and contriving to include ineligible beneficiaries in government schemes through such exercise, Congress alleged that the BJD is planning to blackmail the voters. “The same BJD which was against Aadhaar has now made it mandatory for its membership. By doing so, they will threaten the existing beneficiaries and use government schemes to strong-arm them,” said state BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty. Former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Jayadev Jena said the BJD is trying to blackmail the people by making Aadhaar mandatory for party membership. Once the party gets Aadhar number, it will keep people like mortgages, he alleged. However, BJD vice-president Prasanna Acharya said, “We have not done that (Aadhaar linking) to threaten people. It is being done to ensure authenticity of the members. Perhaps, Opposition parties are scared of such an extensive plan.”