Bhubaneswar: When there is a nation-wide debate going on over security of personal data due to linking of Aadhaar to various programmes, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to collect Aadhaar number during its membership drive to be launched Monday.

With an aim to strengthen its base by doubling its members from the existing 47 lakh, BJD, Saturday, prepared a roadmap for its membership drive, which will continue till October 31.

Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has approved the plan for the membership drive during the meeting of extended executive body held here Sunday.

BJD leader and Agriculture minister Arun Sahoo said 4 active party workers from each ward, 5 from each NAC and 15 from each municipality will take part in the membership drive for enrolling members in the party.

Similarly, each Municipal Corporation will have at least 40 active members. Each active party member will have the responsibility to include at least 24 other members into the party fold, he said.

During the drive, the party has decided to link Aadhaar number of the new members through a portal. By using the Aadhaar number, the party will know about the schemes and programmes availed by the new member. Every 15 days, Naveen will review the execution of the initiative.

Addressing the executive meeting, Naveen called upon them to lay utmost emphasis on the implementation of 5Ts and act as ‘agents of transformation’ to bring satisfaction and cheer in the lives of people.

“I want people to see integrity in our approach and actions. The BJD performed well in the elections due hard work by the party workers. I thank them for their efforts,” he said.

Patnaik urged party members to follow in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi by sacrificing for the welfare of the people which, he said, will be a befitting tribute to the Father of the Nation on his 150th birth anniversary.

“I want people to see integrity in our approach and action. Due to relentless effort of lakhs of workers, our party continues to achieve many feats, so I thank members of the party and their family members for their dedication,” said Patnaik.

“This was one of the two issues which Naveen Patnaik has raised in National interest and these have been accepted by all parties. The other issue raised by our leader was reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies,” BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said.

However, BJP and Congress criticized the membership drive of BJD. State BJP vice president Samir Mohanty said, “BJD’s aim of transformation through membership drive is nothing but day-dreaming. When the urban elections are nearing, they are engaging in this drama.”

Congress MLA Suresh Routray took a jibe at the ruling party’s membership drive and said, “BJD is trying to woo voters in the name of Aadhaar linking.” Routray also said that his party will launch its own membership drive from September 6 with an aim to enroll around 60 lakh members.