BJD Launches Jan Sampark Padayatra Across Odisha to Strengthen Grassroots Connect

Bhubaneswar, Oct 9 : On the occasion of the 148th birth anniversary of Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today launched a month-long statewide Jan Sampark Padayatra from Suando village in Puri district, the birthplace of the revered leader, aimed at strengthening its grassroots connect and highlighting alleged failures of the BJP government.

The programme began with senior BJD leaders offering floral tributes at the Panchasakha Samadhi Pitha. The Padayatra commenced from the Sakhi Gopal Temple and concluded at Suando, marking the birthplace of Pandit Gopabandhu Das.

Addressing the gathering, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra accused the BJP government of curtailing several poverty-alleviation schemes initiated by the Naveen Patnaik government. He claimed that the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), which had significantly benefited the poor, has been replaced by the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, depriving many patients of earlier advantages.

Mishra further alleged that funding under the Gopabandhu Krushak Kalyan Yojana, aimed at supporting farmers, has been reduced, rendering the scheme ineffective. He also claimed that several other welfare initiatives introduced by the BJD government have either been discontinued or shelved by the Centre.

The month-long public outreach programme, running from October 9 to November 9, 2025, will cover all blocks and urban areas of Odisha. Grassroots-level office bearers, elected representatives, active party members, and local residents are participating in the campaign. The initiative has been approved by BJD President Naveen Patnaik.

In each area, the Padayatra is led by local constituency leaders, while district presidents and state-level officials oversee the campaign. During the outreach, BJD members will highlight people-oriented programmes implemented by the Naveen Patnaik government and draw public attention to issues such as alleged unfulfilled promises of the BJP government, atrocities against women, rising prices, unemployment, and neglect of farmers, youth, students, and marginalized communities.

At the inaugural event in Suando, senior leaders including Debi Prasad Mishra, Sanjay Das Burma, Arun Sahoo, Amar Patnaik, and Puri MLA Sunil Mohanty participated. A similar event was held in Bhubaneswar, attended by Debi Prasad Mishra, Ashok Panda, Ananta Narayan Jena, Susant Rout, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, along with corporators, ex-corporators, and members of the party’s women, youth, and student wings.