TV
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making notable gains in Jajpur following defections from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). This development comes as the BJD commemorated its foundation day, overshadowed by controversies sparked by accusations from party organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, who lambasted former leaders who switched allegiance to the BJP.
Under the circumstances, BJP representatives have asserted that the BJD might soon face challenges even in recruiting candidates for future elections.
“BJD’s position is getting weaker in Jajpur district. I left BJD as the party didn’t pay proper attention towards me,” said BJP leader Jaladhar Sahu.
Meanwhile, political analysts have predicted that BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik must address these defections to safeguard the party’s influence in Jajpur. Past trends in Ganjam, another BJD stronghold, exacerbate these anxieties. Insiders suggest that numerous local leaders including sarpanchs and samiti members are defecting to the BJP, raising questions about the causes behind this shift.
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“BJD workers have been joining BJP in large numbers in Jajpur for the last one month. Confidence of the people in the district has been bolstered by BJP and the government. If the situation continues like this, BJD will somehow become extinct in the district,” said political analyst Manas Ranjan Jena.
BJP has strengthened its position by winning the four assembly constituencies of Jajpur in the 2024 General Elections. Additionally, BJP has also won the Lok Sabha seat. Leaders and workers from constituencies like Binjharpur, Korei, Sukinda, Dharmasala, and Barachana are reportedly distancing themselves from BJD, hinting at widespread dissatisfaction.
In key constituencies such as Sukinda and Dharmasala, once considered BJD bastions, the decline raises concerns about administrative issues affecting residents during the BJD’s 24-year administration. As BJP’s prospects appear buoyant, a broader political transformation may be underway. Around 300 core leaders including more than 15 sarpanches and samiti members resigning from BJD in Korei highlight mounting challenges for the Opposition party.
Despite these setbacks, BJD’s organising secretary Pranab Prakash Dass rapped the BJP by branding the defectors as mere ‘dealers’.
“BJD workers have not gone anywhere and there is no chance for it. Only dealers have changed the party and BJD is getting rid of those dealers in Korei,” said Das,
This elicited a response from BJP Minister Pradeep Bal Samant, who highlighted a broader trend of BJD defections across Odisha, posing potential difficulties for the party in fielding candidates in forthcoming elections.
“BJD workers and leaders are joining BJP in large numbers in the State. BJD will not find leaders even to contest elections in coming days,” said Samanta.
Notably, the defection wave, initiated in Ganjam, continues to spread across the State. All eyes now remain on Naveen Patnaik’s strategies to retain his party’s cadre.
