Bhubaneswar: Veteran BJD leader and former Minister Ananga Udaya Singh Deo today predicted that his party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will break the all-time record of former Chief Minister and Legendary Leader Biju Patnaik in the next 2024 Assembly elections.
While replying to media queries here, Shri Singh Deo said, “Day by day the popularity of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and BJD is growing like anything. The number of seats of the party has been also increasing in one after another Assembly polls. So, I am sure, the BJD will break the record of Biju Babu in the next Vidhan Sabha polls.”
Notably, Biju Patnaik led Janata Dal had won 123 seats out of 147 MLA seats in 1990. The main opposition party Congress’ strength was reduced from 117 to 10. In the 2019 polls, the BJD had won 112 seats.
To back-up his claim, the BJD senior Vice-President said the people of the State are very happy for the developmental works undertaken under the leadership of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Particularly, in Western Odisha, the people are happy and have a lot of affection for the BJD Government, he said.
“If the BJP thinks that they have a strong hold in Western Odisha, we will break it in the next election,” the BJD Veteran said.
On a question of whether CM will contest from a seat in Western Odisha, Shri Singh Deo replies, “We will welcome such a move of our leader. Naveen Babu has a mind of his own. Whatever decision he will take, we will support it.”
If needed, a proposal will be given to the party requesting the CM to contest from the western region, he added.
On the recent law and order situation reported in Bargarh district, he commented, “Rule of Law prevails in the State. Democracy is there and democracy will remain. As the election is approaching, the Opposition will raise such allegations, which is not correct.”
