Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], January 21: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has appointed MLA Pratap Keshari Deb as the Returning Officer for the party’s upcoming organizational elections, according to an official order issued by party president Naveen Patnaik.
The order, released on Monday, states: “As per Article XXIII (2) of the Constitution of Biju Janata Dal, Pratap Keshari Deb, MLA, is hereby appointed as State Returning Officer for the smooth conduct of the Organizational Election of the BJD with immediate effect.”
Speaking to ANI following his appointment, Pratap Keshari Deb expressed gratitude to BJD President Naveen Patnaik for the opportunity to serve as the State Returning Officer for the third consecutive term. He shared details about the process, stating that the party elections will be held after the general elections, and the procedure will unfold in four phases: at the grassroots, block, district, and state levels. A detailed election schedule will be prepared, and election officers will be appointed for each stage.
In the early days of January, the BJD organized a large protest in Bhubaneswar, led by Naveen Patnaik, against the BJP government in Odisha. The demonstration centered on concerns over the rising prices of essential commodities. BJD MP Sasmit Patra accused the BJP-led government of failing to manage inflation, which has severely impacted the residents of Odisha. Patra highlighted the soaring prices of everyday goods, including potatoes, onions, and rice, and criticized the current administration’s handling of economic challenges.