No electoral understanding with BJD in 2024 elections, says Odisha unit of BJP 

BJP clarifies no electoral understanding with BJD in Odisha for 2024 elections; to aggressively fight for victory.

The Odisha unit of Bharatiya Janata Party on December 30 clarified that there would be no electoral understanding with any party including Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the State for the forthcoming elections in 2024.

In important strategy meetings held by Sunil Bansal, zone incharge, and Vijaypal Singh Tomar, co-incharge, all State BJP office-bearers have been instructed to work hard to secure the party’s victory and dispel rumours about the BJP going soft on BJD. The meetings were attended by State BJP president Manmohan Samal, Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra, as well as Bhubaneswar and Sundargarh MPs, Aparajita Sarangi and Jual Oram respectively.

“Many people are creating rumours about a purported electoral alliance to serve their own interest. The leadership informed us that there is no question of any understanding with the BJD. We will field candidates in all 147 Assembly constituencies and 21 Lok Sabha seats,” said Ms. Sarangi, BJP national spokesperson.

“The BJP will fight the elections aggressively. Party leaders will work based on definite set of instructions in the run up to elections,” she said.

Mr. Bansal had also attended a closed-door meeting of office-bearers of Odisha unit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Friday. A few BJP leaders were also present in the meeting which assumed huge significance as the saffron party would require backing of Sangh Parivar for its electoral battle.

Later addressing a press conference, Mr. Samal, BJP State president, said, “The party has adopted a resolution that all leaders will visit villages spreading the message on successes achieved by the BJP government at Centre in all sectors during the past nine years.”

“We are tired of seeking answers on how ₹18.83 lakh crore provided by Central government to Odisha was spent during past nine years. The State government should not maintain secrecy over expenditure, which is over ₹2 lakh crore per year,” he said.