Bhubaneswar – In a move aimed at strengthening its grassroots structure and enhancing coordination across various social and professional segments, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Monday appointed senior leaders as Convenors to head multiple frontal wings and cells of the party.
These appointments reflect the party’s efforts to ensure better outreach and representation for farmers, educators, fishermen, senior citizens, tribal groups, backward classes, and digital media influencers, ahead of key political milestones.
What Are These Frontal Cells?
Frontal cells in political parties are specialized internal bodies that focus on the interests and issues of specific community groups or professional sectors. By appointing senior leaders to head these cells, BJD aims to:
- Streamline community engagement
- Strengthen voter connect
- Amplify issue-based campaigns
- Build an inclusive party structure
Here Are the Newly Appointed Convenors & Their Roles:
| Frontal Wing / Cell | Appointed Convenor | Designation Within Party |
|---|---|---|
| Biju Krushak Janata Dal | Prasanna Acharya | Senior Vice President |
| BJD Regional Cell | Ananga Udaya Singh Deo | Senior Vice President |
| BJD Co-operative Cell | Ranendra Pratap Swain | Senior Vice President |
| BJD Sikhya o Sikhyaka Cell | Badri Narayan Patra | Senior Vice President |
| BJD Fishermen Cell | Dr. Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik | Senior Vice President |
| BJD Tribal Cell | Mangala Kisan | Senior Vice President |
| BJD Senior Citizen Cell | Debashish Samantaray | Vice President |
| BJD OBC Cell | Arun Kumar Sahoo | Vice President |
| BJD SC Cell | Mahesh Sahoo | Senior General Secretary |
| BJD IT & Social Media Cell | Amar Patnaik | Senior General Secretary |
Why These Appointments Matter?
- Strategic Timing: With elections on the horizon, these appointments help consolidate the party’s base across different social groups.
- Grassroots Focus: These leaders are expected to mobilize support, highlight regional issues, and act as a bridge between the public and party leadership.
- Digital Outreach: The inclusion of a dedicated IT & Social Media Cell, led by Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik, highlights BJD’s growing emphasis on online campaigns and digital voter engagement.
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik’s latest appointments reflect a calculated political move to energize the party’s internal machinery ahead of the next big electoral battle. By empowering experienced leaders to lead crucial cells, BJD is reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance, regional representation, and digital relevance.
