Biju Janata Dal President Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday urged women party workers and leaders to focus on enrolling more women into the party.
“I will be actively giving more responsibility to women in the party organization,” Patnaik said while addressing the BJD Mahila Janata Dal district presidents, office bearers, and state-level leaders at Sanjha Bhawan, the party office.
The BJD supremo mentioned that it is expected that reservations for women may finally be introduced in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, and he urged the party’s women leaders to be fully prepared and focus on enrolling more women in the membership drive.
Stating that the BJD has always supported women and has worked for their social and economic empowerment in the state, Patnaik said it was Biju Babu who laid the foundation for the empowerment of women in the country.
He highlighted that Mission Shakti has united 70 lakh mothers and helped women become entrepreneurs through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), actively participating in the development of the state.
The former Chief Minister expressed concern over the rising crime against women across the country, stating that crime against women is a crime against God. In our culture, he noted, we worship women as mother goddesses, adding that crimes against humanity should be stopped at any cost.
He urged the party’s women leaders to extend support to women in distress and instill courage in them to face challenges boldly, expressing hope that “our collective efforts in this regard will create a safe world for our daughters.”
The Biju Janata Dal President, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Odisha Assembly, criticized the BJP, accusing them of falsehoods, and cited the unfulfilled promises of the Subhadra Yojana and 300 units of free electricity made by the party to the people of the state.
Patnaik said the BJP had promised to pay Rs. 50,000 to all women in the state within two years under the Subhadra Yojana but is now saying it will be paid in five years.
He warned the BJP government not to play with the trust of the people of the state, particularly the women electorate.
Naveen urged the women workers and leaders to expose the lies of the BJP while visiting every household, adding that the women of Odisha will give a fitting reply to the BJP for their deceit.
