2024 elections: BJD scratches head over 'rehabilitation' of dissidents

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which is now reportedly facing the 'problem of plenty', is likely to implode from within as factional feuds are allegedly getting acute day by day due to a rising number of ticket aspirants who are turning rebellious against the incumbent leaders in many constituencies in Odisha. 

Now a worried lot, the ruling party may find itself in a spot ahead of the 2024 elections while pondering over how to rehabilitate the aspirants who will be denied tickets, believe experts.

In 2018, BJD had passed a resolution in the Assembly for a legislative council- which the Opposition then termed as an attempt to rehabilitate the rebellious leaders. But that did not happen. Hence, the party is now scratching its head how to tackle the potential rebels as all aspirants cannot be tackled with lollipops, said experts.

It is believed that the ruling party has more than two aspirants in some assembly segments in the state.

Let’s Have a Look at a Few such Assembly Segments 

Bhadrak assembly seat is now represented by Sanjib Malick while Asit Patnaik, son of five-time MLA Jugal Patnaik, was a ticket aspirant in 2019. Now, he has come to the scene as a claimant. To placate him, the party had allegedly tasked him to look after the fisheries corporation. However, owing to the reported rebellious activities of Asit, an independent candidate won the post of mayor in Bhadrak municipality.

Asit said, "I was unhappy after being denied a ticket. This time a deserving candidate should be given a ticket. People are wary of what promises have not been met. Now, it's the testing time."
     
The situation in the Digapahandi assembly of Ganjam seat is no different as Biplab Patra, son of former Speaker Suryanayan Patro is heading a faction, aspiring for a ticket, but his rival is none other than the expelled BJD leader Bipin Pradhan. Though Bipin has been expelled from the party, he holds his sway over some party workers there. He has also several frontline supporters. 

In Bhubaneswar, former MLA Priyadarshi Mishra is now a tick aspirant from the Bhubaneswar north seat which is now represented by Sushant Rout. In Bari constituency, the factional feud is high as there are over four ticket aspirants. Those leading the lobby are MLA Sunanda Das, former MLA Debasish Nayak and Biswaranjan Mallick, who has crossed over from the BJP. 

What Political Experts Say on BJD's Problem of Surplus

As the number of ticket aspirants is growing, the ruling party is said to be facing a tough task to manage the ticket aspirants. Their rehabilitation without a legislative council has come up as a challenge. If the legislative is formed, only 50 leaders will be accommodated, said a political expert.
  
However, senior BJD leader Debi Mishra, said, “Party observers are trying to bring all together as part of the organisational activities. And party president Naveen Patnaik has made it clear that those who have a commitment to the party should come out to the front.”

It may be noted here that after the denial of tickets, BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had 'assured' RS seat for Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik, Prasnna Patasani and Debasish Nayak. But the promise could not be kept.

Political analyst, Rabi Das said, “Many think that it would be the last chance for the BJD to claim power in 2024. Hence, the number of ticket aspirants is growing. Had the legislative council been formed, many would have been rehabilitated. Those who cannot be rehabilitated will naturally be unhappy.”