Naveen Patnaik Takes a Dig at BJP’s Missed Call Membership Drive Amid BJD’s Grassroots Push

By Mahendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 10: In a sharp political move, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the launch of the BJD’s membership drive on Wednesday.

Patnaik took aim at the BJP’s practice of collecting memberships through missed calls, emphasizing that the BJD’s approach is rooted in personal engagement and service to the people.

“You know that some parties are doing membership drives through missed calls. BJD is beyond this. Service and self-respect are our ideologies. We are here to serve the people of Odisha,” Patnaik said, stressing the party’s deep connection with the electorate.

The BJD’s membership drive, launched with fanfare, is a key component of the party’s strategy to retain its political dominance in Odisha, where it has ruled for over two decades. Patnaik positioned his party as one that does more than just tally numbers, highlighting its role as a party committed to grassroots involvement.

Patnaik’s remarks triggered a swift response from the state BJP.

Golak Mohapatra, Odisha BJP vice-president, dismissed the comments, arguing that the BJP’s outreach efforts are effective and widely accepted by the people. “Despite his 25 years in power, voters are increasingly turning towards the BJP. We’re not just collecting members—we are meeting people at their doorsteps, understanding their issues, and delivering results,” Mohapatra said.

BJP leader Babu Singh added a personal jibe, suggesting that Patnaik might secretly want to join the BJP. “Naveen Babu is halfway there. I’ll gladly visit Naveen Niwas to help him become a BJP member,” Singh quipped, before explaining that the BJP’s membership system now includes modern data processing and photographs of members.

With rural and urban elections looming in 2027, the membership drives of both parties signal the beginning of an intense political battle. While the BJD focuses on its grassroots strength, the BJP is determined to expand its reach, relying on both traditional methods and modern technology.