BJD starts reviewing Odisha panchayat poll setback

Following the setback in the recent panchayat polls, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik on Sunday started interacting with the party's elected representatives of local bodies.

Patnaik met the elected members of the Biju Janata Dal from Jajpur and Koraput districts in the presence of assembly and Parliament members at the party headquarters here to begin the review of the electoral set-backs.

"The Panchayati Raj representatives presented various suggestions that they want to be fulfilled. I have also asked them to work honestly and hard for the people. We will meet again after six months to review the situation," the Biju Janata Dal President told the media persons.

In the week-long programme, the Chief Minister will interact with representatives from other districts as well.

BJD leader Surya Narayan Patro said the party chief would pay surprise visits to panchayats in the coming days as well to assess the ground situation.

The review meeting assumes significance ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party's two-day executive meet to be held at Bhubaneswar on April 15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah and several other senior leaders and chief ministers from the party-ruled states would attend the meeting.

With the BJP shifting its focus to Odisha following the spectacular performance of the party in the panchayat polls, the ruling BJD is trying hard to reach out to the people and keep the flock together.

Notably, BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy last week alleged that the BJP is trying to split the regional party with the help of one BJD MP.

--IANS

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