The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has sought suggestions from people to enable the party to prepare its election manifesto.

The party has urged people to send their inputs through e-mail to the party office. The objective of the manifesto is to translate BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s dream of Odisha into a reality and make a new and “empowered Odisha”.

The people have been asked to send their inputs to bjdmanifesto2024@gmail.com.

The ruling party on Wednesday also constituted its manifesto committee under the chairmanship of its senior leader Chandrasekhar Sahu, who was denied a ticket to contest from the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat for the second consecutive time. In his place, the party preferred former BJP state vice-president Bhrugu Baxipatra who switched loyalty to the BJD at the last moment.

By making Sahu the chairman of the committee, the party has tried to console him and ensure that he remains an important and loyal member of the party. Dr Amar Patnaik, who was denied the ticket to go to the Rajya Sabha for the second consecutive time, was made the convener of the committee.

According to the office order, the committee will hold discussions with various sections of the society before preparing the manifesto for a transformed Odisha. “The committee will have a discussion with various sectors of society, different areas, different age groups and prepare a manifesto that will lead to the transformation towards New Odisha-Empowered Odisha (Nabin Odisha-Sasakta Odisha),” the office order of the BJD said.

The manifesto committee has a long panel with 38 members. Steps are being taken by party president Naveen Patnaik to accommodate all sections of the party and ensure that those who are being neglected after being denied a ticket are being absorbed into the committee. In the committee, women, tribals, Muslims, Dalits and non-resident Odisha experts are also being included so that the voices of all sections of the society are reflected in the manifesto.

Sources said the manifesto committee would emphasise what Naveen had said while presiding over the last cabinet meeting of his fifth term. “The next 10 years will be decisive for Odisha’s future. We will herald an empowered Odisha — modern, dynamic and responsive — primarily for our youth …. Also for our women and children, entrepreneurs, farmers and tribals,” Naveen had said.

The manifesto committee will prepare a road map that will make Odisha the number one state in the country in every field. It will focus on how Odisha would be a role model for other states.

Besides putting stress on reducing poverty, the manifesto will focus on women empowerment through its women’s self-help groups, tribal and farmers welfare, and youth development programme and make a holistic attempt for the overall progress of Odisha without compromising its secular roots.