Naveen Patnaik to begin 7th term as BJD president
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) announced the results of its triennial organizational polls, with Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik getting elected as the party president for the seventh consecutive term. Patnaik's election as party president was a mere formality as he had been the only person to file nomination papers for the post. The polls had included the election of 80 state executive members as well.
Naveen Patnaik, founder of Orissa's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), is serving his 4th consecutive term as the state's Chief Minister. His efforts towards women and tribal empowerment, his tough stance against corruption and communalism and promoting industrialization are widely acclaimed. The United Nations felicitated him for evacuating nearly one million people ahead of the Cylcone Phailin that hit Orissa in October 2013.
Patnaik has launched several women-centric schemes in Orissa, including financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women and women self-help groups. His Rs.1 per kg rice scheme was an extension of this support to women in Orissa.
Naveen Patnaik took his father's seat after Biju Patnaik, leader of Janata Dal passed away. He broke away from the Janata Dal and founded the BJD in 1997, leading the party to victory in the assembly elections for 5 consecutive terms, twice in alliance with the BJP and thrice without the BJP's support. Patnaik continued to hold party presidentship since the party was founded.
An India Today poll in 2004 voted Naveen Patnaik as the Most Popular Chief Minister. He also ranked second in a 2013 NDTV poll for the Best Performing Chief Minister.
The organizational polls in Biju Janata Dal, conducted every 3 years in 5 phases, began with elections for panchayat and ward committees. Block, nagar and council committees were finalized in the 2nd phase, district committees in the 3rd phase and state councils in the 4th phase. State executive members, including the party president, would be elected in the 5th phase.
'BJD has become a powerful regional party and is gaining significance in national politics. It has won the trust and confidence of the people of Odisha.' - Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa.
