Ahead of the Assembly and Parliament elections, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday boosted up its organisational strength by virtually adding one more wing, BJD Ex-Servicemen Cell, to its party structure on the occasion of the 66th Army Day.
More than 1,000 retired Defence personnel coming from across the State joined the party under the leadership of retired lieutenant General Narayan Mohanty and Col l Parida at the BJD party office in the presence of party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
“Joining of so many ex-Army men in the BJD will certainly strengthen the party and make the system more effective, responsive and disciplined,” said the Chief Minister, adding that an Ex-Servicemen Cell will soon be opened in the party.
lieutenant General Narayan Mohanty thanked Patnaik for his approval for formation of a BJD Ex-Servicemen Cell. “The ex-Servicemen can be used during natural calamities,” he said. More than 1.5 lakh ex-servicemen are residing in the State, he informed.
Agriculture Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “With the joining of these disciplined people in the BJD it will be a potent force to carry out welfare activities at the grassroots level. Besides, they will be engaged in campaigning for the party during elections.”
BJD vice-president and Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya too appealed to the ex-Army personnel to extend their supports to the Chief Minister in expediting the ongoing development process of the State.