Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders today criticised alliance partner BJP for its growing ambitions in Orissa and called for steps to halt its onward march. They were speaking at the BJD’s Fifth Foundation Day.BJD general secretary Damodar Rout claimed it was Naveen Patnaik who helped the BJP gain a foothold in the state by striking an electoral alliance with it. ‘‘Now it is trying to swallow the big brother. But BJP’s dreams will never be fulfilled,’’ Rout said. He also said his party will never compromise on its secular credentials.Vice-president and Health Minister Ghadei called upon the party workers to check the growth of the Congress and the BJP. He said this can be done by making the party cadre-based and electing new office-bearers. Rout also supported Ghadei saying that the meeting should adopt a resolution authorising the president to appoint new office-bearers at the state and district levels.Senior vice-president and Steel and Mines Minister A.U. Singhdeo said the party organisation should be strengthened. He also told the Chief Minister to give specific targets to leaders and set monthly target. ‘‘The organisation has become stagnant,’’ Union Minister Braja Kishore Tripathy said. He advised that party meetings be held regularly and chided the office-bearers for not taking up membership drive seriously.Panchanan Kanungo, Minister of State for Finance, demanded a meeting of the state executive while Minister of State for Housing Ranendra Pratap Swain demanded strengthening of the youth and student wings. Although party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik did not join the bandwagon, he was present at the function along with the senior leaders.
