The politics of padayatra began in Orissa on Tuesday with two prominent political parties — the ruling BJD and Congress — launching statewide marches ostensibly to strengthen their vote banks at the grassroots.
BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off his party’s padayatra in Bhubaneswar. It was attended among others by all the three local MLAs — Ashok Panda, Bijaya Mohanty, Bhagirathi Badajena — and Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha member Prasanna Patsani.
Addressing the party workers, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the BJD will “tirelessly” work for the poor and roll out welfare measures for each sections of the society.
“Our slogan has always been to serve the people and we shall try our best to live up to their expectations,” the chief minister said.
Mr Patnaik, who usually indulges in UPA-bashing, refrained from such exercise. However, his MLAs, in their addresses, alleged apathy and inadequate financial support by the Central government to the state. They stated that the state government will not be cowed down by negligence of the UPA government. “The BJD is a party of the poor and it has rolled out many welfare programmes and schemes for the weaker sections from its own fund. The party, even if it does not get required support from the Centre, would continue to fund from its own treasury the ongoing socio-welfare measure,” Bhubaneswar (central) MLA Bijay Mohanty said.
The Congress, led by party state president Niranjan Patnaik, launched its padayatra from Cuttack.
Almost all the senior leaders, including former chief minister Giridhar Gamang and ex-Union minister Kanhu Charan Lenka and Union minister of state for chemical and fertilisers Srikant Jena, participated in the padayatra, apparently to send a message of unity. “The aim of the padayatra is to highlight the successes of the UPA government as well as to expose the corrupt BJD government in Orissa headed by Naveen Patnaik,” Mr Jena said.
The Congress’ nine-day pada yatra will end up at Sakhigopal in Puri district on October 9 while the BJD’s 10-day yatra – which is being organised simultaneously in all the 30 districts - will be completed two days later.