BJD to launch month-long Padayatra to expose BJP govt’s failures in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Sep 29 (UNI) The principal opposition party in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), will undertake a month-long state-wide Padayatra to highlight what it terms as the failures of the BJP government.

BJD Vice President and senior leader Debi Prasad Mishra said that as October 2 coincides with both Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, the party will begin its pledge for the Public Outreach Padayatra by offering floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

The Padayatra will formally begin on October 9, the birth anniversary of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, and continue until November 9, lasting a full month.
Mishra said the campaign aims to strengthen the BJD’s connection with the people while exposing the BJP government’s performance over the last 15 months.
According to Mishra, the BJP government has failed on several fronts; law and order has deteriorated, women’s safety remains a major concern, and the promise of a liquor-free Odisha has become a mockery.

He also accused the government of undermining democracy by usurping the powers of elected Panchayat representatives.

BJD Chief Whip Pramila Mallik further alleged that the BSKY health scheme, launched under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership, was highly beneficial to the people, but since the introduction of Ayushman Bharat, citizens are struggling to access proper healthcare.

Mallik added that the BJP government, which had promised a liquor and drug-free Odisha, is instead opening 70 new liquor shops and two distilleries.
She also highlighted the shortage of fertilisers that has forced farmers to protest on the streets, while elected representatives at the Panchayat level have been stripped of their powers.

Both Mishra and Mallik said the BJD will use the month-long Padayatra to place these issues before the people and expose the BJP government’s failures.