Over 1, 000 ex servicemen join BJD

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury
Bhubaneswar, Jan 15:

As part of its efforts to enlist the support of all sections of society ahead of the crucial Assembly and parliamentary elections in 2014, the BJD today admitted more than 1,000 retired defence personnel on the occasion of Army Day.

The BJD will soon form an ex-servicemen cell, party sources said.

“So many ex-army servicemen have joined the Biju Janata Dal today. They will strengthen our party,” said Patnaik at a meeting at the party office here.

Hailing the BJD president’s approval for formation of the BJD Ex-Servicemen Cell’, retired Lieutenant General, Narayan Mohanty thanked the chief minister and said the services of ex servicemen can be used during natural calamities.

Earlier, Gen Mohanty, along with Brigadier BP Patnaik and Colonels L Parida and AC Behera, had submitted a proposal to Naveen Patnaik for formation of the cell in the BJD.

They informed the BJD chief that while more than 1.5 lakh ex-servicemen are residing in the state, nearly 10 lakh people are dependent on them.

“These disciplined people can be brought to the BJD fold. This would be a disciplined and potent force to carry out all welfare activities at the grassroots level,” they pointed out.

Besides, the trained manpower would be a boon to the BJD cadres since they can be utilized in social forestry and disaster management on behalf of the party, they mentioned.