By IANS,
Bhubaneswar : Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and opposition Congress Tuesday launched separate ‘padyatras’ (foot marches) in what appeared to be preparations for the 2014 general elections.
While BJD workers and leaders carried out foot marches to highlight programmes and policies of the Naveen Patnaik-led government, Congress said it was focusing on the state government’s failures.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik joined the march, named Jana Samparka Yatra (march for public contact), in state capital Bhubaneswar.
“The government has taken several welfare measures in the past and we are telling people about these. BJD leaders and workers are carrying out similar yatras in other towns and villages,” a party leader told IANS.
On the other hand, a Congress leader said Odisha had witnessed the worst form of governance during 12 years of BJD rule.
“We are telling people how the government has taken the state backwards,” state Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik said while joining the party’s Parivartan Yatra (march for change) with other leaders in Cuttack, 26 km from here.