About Biju Janata Dal
Founded in December 1997, the Biju Janata Dal or the BJD is a regional political party of India. It is a splinter faction of the large political party called Janata Dal. The Biju Janata Dal's political position is center to center-left, operating on the political ideologies of Populism,
After the ill health of his father and former CM of Odisha Biju Patnaik, his son Naveen Patnaik took over his Lok Sabha seat in 1996, representing the Janata Dal. On 26 December 1997, he split from the Janata Dal and formed his own political party. He named the party in the memory of his father Biju Patnaik, thereby calling it Biju Janata Dal.
The BJD has a history of repeated alliances and coalitions with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and formed the NDA government at the Centre. Though a part of the alliance with the BJP, the BJD is known to be one of the most secular political parties in the country. In 2009, the BJD severed ties with the BJP, citing political and ideological differences. It is presently a member of the so-called 'Third Front', or the platform for secular democratic forces of the country.
Presently, the BJD led by Naveen Patnaik, is ruling the state of Odisha, after winning with a thumping majority of 108 legislative seats in the 2009 Odisha Legislative Assembly elections. It also won 14 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
Naveen Patnaik is one of the most popular and respected chief ministers in the country, known for his 'clean', anti-corrupt and 'transparent' political policies and schemes.
Election Symbol and its Significance
The Election Symbol of the Biju Janata Dal, as approved by the Election Commission of India, is the “conch which is turned right”. The Biju Janata Dal has been associated with the symbol from its inception. The conch (shankh in Hindi) symbol is significant as a large number of people identify themselves with it. It even has deep symbolism in the ancient Indian tradition. In mythological traditions, the conch is the emblem of Lord Vishnu, bearing the name 'panchajanya', which means 'having control over the five classes of beings.' Again, in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata, the hero Arjuna carried a mighty conch, whose triumphant blast brought victory to him. From time immemorial, the conch is believed to be a symbol of power, sovereignty and authority which brings terror to enemy and destroys evil spirits.The BJD's election symbol is significant in this regard. Naveen Patnaik is known to reach out to the poorest sections of the society, by implementing developmental policies and schemes for the people of Odisha. One of the least developed states in the country, Odisha's CM Naveen Patnaik is dedicated to bring maximum benefits to the people of the state, across all caste, class and religion. The BJD, which is committed to the ideology of populism and social democracy, destroys the evil spirits in the state and brings about all-round development, symbolizing power and authority.
Leaders of the Biju Janata Dal
The leaders of the Biju Janata Dal, who are also the national executives of the party, are listed below:- Naveen Patnaik, President of BJD
Patnaik is the current Chief Minister in the state of Odisha. He was sworn in as the Chief Minister in 2000, and has continued in the post for the second and third terms, in 2004 and 2009 respectively. He was a former Union Minister of Mines during the NDA regime. - Baishnab Charan Parida, spokesperson of BJD
Parida is a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing Odisha in the Upper House of Parliament. - Dilip Tirkey, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Awarded the Padma Shree in 2004, Tirkey is a world-class hockey player. He was the captain of the Indian hockey team. He represents Odisha as a member of the BJD in the Upper House of Parliament. - Arjun Charan Sethi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Sethi represents the BJD from the Bhadrak constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha. - Bhartruhari Mahtab, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Mahtab represents the BJD from the Cuttack constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha. - Pinaki Mishra, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Mishra represents the BJD from the Puri constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha. - Sidhant Mohapatra, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Mohapatra represents the BJD from the Berhampur constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha. - Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Panda represents the BJD from the Kendrapara constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha. - Renubala Pradhan, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Pradhan is one of the few women members of the BJD and represents Odisha in the Upper House of Parliament.
Achievements of the BJD
As a regional party, the BJD has made a number of significant contributions to the political scenario of the country. Some of these are listed below:- The BJD is committed to a holistic development of women and children in the state, through education and empowerment. A 50% reservation has been made for women in the Odisha Municipalities. It has implemented a number of schemes for women and children, such as the 'Mamata Yojna', 'Mission Shakti', 'Tupti', 'Nua Arunima' and the very crucial 'Self Help Group Energy Franchisee Arrangement (SEFA) Program'.
- Essentially an agricultural state, the farmers of Odisha are the backbone of the state. The BJD government initiated a separate agricultural budget for the farmers, increasing the budget allocation for agriculture from rupees 2,000 crores to rupees 7,000 crores.
- Through a number of schemes such as the 'Biju Krushak Vikas Yojna' and the 'Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojna', Naveen Patnaik has ensured agricultural loans at a nominal 2% rate of interest.
- Odisha is the first state in India to organize animal health camps, operating in more than 12 districts and treating more than 24 lakh animals so far.
- The BJD government has implemented a number of schemes in youth policies, to ensure youth-led development in the state. As part of the 'Biju Yuba Sashaktikaran Yojna', the youth of the state were given free laptops and other financial assistances such as internship programs within the government offices.
- Through the 'Biju Sethu Yojna' and the 'Gopabandhu Gramin Yojna', the BJD has ensured construction of new bridges and enhanced rural connectivity within the state. Electrification of many un-electrified villages has been accelerated in the state, by installing many power-stations in the state.
- A historic food security scheme has been launched in the state, wherein 60 lakh beneficiaries will be given rice at rupees one per kilogram of rice. The BJD government has ensured shelter for the homeless people affected in the many cyclones and floods hitting the state of Odisha.
Address and Contact Details
Official Website of BJD: http://www.bjdodisha.org.in/Head-Office Address of BJD: 6R/3,Unit-6, Forest Park, Bhubaneswar, District Khurda, Odisha-751006
Telefax Nos: (674) 2395979, 2393464
Email id: [email protected]
BJD Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Election Results Year Wise
| Lok Sabha | Vidhan Sabha | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Latest Year | Seats Won | Latest Year | Seats Won | ||
| Odisha | 2019 | 12 | 2019 | 112 | ||
Last Updated on July 10, 2021