Describing himself as a BJD man, the Rajya Sabha member said such conventions are important as only workers at the grassroots level, and not leaders, can strengthen the party organisation.
"I believe in the strength of the workers at the grassroot level. As part of our efforts to strengthen the party at the grassroot level, two workers' meet will be organised in next three months in western Odisha," Mohapatra told reporters during a visit to Sambalpur.
Maintaining that the real strength of the organisation lies with party workers, he said leaders happen to be "a burden shouldered by the workers."
While announcing formation of Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM) a fortnight ago, Mohapatra had made it clear that it was not a separate party but only a front within the ruling BJD meant to bring about reform in the regional party.
Mohapatra's statement came ahead of the Morcha's plan to hold a rally in the state capital on October 28.
OJM was formed in the midst of a variety of speculations in Odisha political circles ever since Mohapatra was suspended from BJD for allegedly engineering a coup bid against Naveen Patnaik government on May 29 when the chief minister was away in the UK.
Reacting to OJM's plan for rally, BJD vice-president and state health minister Damodar Rout said it would have no adverse impact on the regional party whose president Naveen Patnaik remains a popular leader.
