Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, has been elected President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the ninth consecutive time, reaffirming his enduring leadership and deep-rooted influence in the state’s political landscape.
Patnaik, who was the sole candidate for the post, was elected unopposed. The formal announcement was made at the party headquarters, Shankh Bhawan, marking yet another milestone in his unbroken association with the BJD, a party he has helmed since its inception in 1997.
The 77-year-old leader filed his nomination papers on April 17, coinciding with the 28th death anniversary of his father and legendary leader Biju Patnaik, after whom the party is named.
Following his re-election, Patnaik addressed party leaders and workers, reiterating the BJD’s commitment to Odia pride and Odisha’s development.
“Our fight for Odisha’s rights will continue. Odia pride and Odisha’s interests are paramount to us. Biju Janata Dal has always stood firm by its ideals and will continue to do so,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the party’s narrow miss in the last state election, Patnaik pointed to the impact of misinformation.
“We missed the last election with a narrow margin, even though BJD got more popular votes. This is because we couldn’t effectively counter the false narrative,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of digital outreach, the BJD chief added:
“We must be aggressive in exposing this false narrative, especially on social media. Let me be honest in telling that we need to strongly improve our social media presence. Technology should be used to tell facts. Without it, we cannot reach out to people.”
He concluded by expressing full confidence in BJD’s grassroots workers, calling on them to stay united and respond firmly to misinformation campaigns.
Meanwhile, party sources confirmed that district president elections have been completed in most of the BJD’s 33 organisational districts, paving the way for a more streamlined internal structure ahead of the party’s next political moves.
Having served as Chief Minister of Odisha for over two decades, Naveen Patnaik remains a central figure in state politics. His unopposed re-election as party chief underscores his continued popularity and strategic grip over the BJD, even as it finds itself in the opposition for the first time in years.
As the BJD gears up for future challenges, the party leadership under Patnaik appears focused on revamping its outreach strategy and reinforcing its ideological foundations to regain its electoral edge.
