The state BJP unit will launch a two-month-long mass-contact programme like that of the BJD and the Congress from November 1.
The BJD, which already launched its Jan Sampark Yatra from October 2, said the saffron party was trying to copy them, but it would not be successful. The Congress launched its mass-contact programme from October 4.
State BJP party unit chief Basant Panda said: “The party will organise Lok Sampark Padyatra at the village, panchayat and booth levels from November 1 to 30. From December 1, the party will organise Parivartan Yatra from December 1 to 30. The Parivartan Yatra will be held in all blocks and urban areas of the state. A number of central leaders will join the programme to expose the Naveen government.”
Citing the reasons for undertaking the mass-contact programme, he said: “The BJD government is neck deep in corruption. We have decided to create awareness among the people about various irregularities committed by the Naveen Patnaik government.”
Prior to the Lok Sampark Yatra, the party decided to organise Halla Bol agitation for three days from October 27 to 30 to build up required momentum for the ongoing mass-contact programmes.
He also criticised the state government for its failure to implement the Centre’s health assurance scheme Ayushman Bharat. “We are now collecting the people’s signatures against the state government for not implementing the central scheme. Before Durga Puja, we will collect one crore signatures and will submit it to governor Ganeshi Lal.”
Reacting to it, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said: “They have no original plan of action. They are just following our programmes. We have been organising foot marches for the past 10 years. They are making false promises. What about the two crore jobs they have promised to give to the youths? People will give a befitting reply to them in the 2019 election.”
Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said: “Both the BJP and the BJD have lost the confidence of the people. Their mass-contact programmes will not yield any results.”
