Is BJD getting inclined towards INDI Alliance?

Politics in Odisha has become vibrant after exit polls gave an edge to the Congress in Haryana and predicted that the Congress-National Conference alliance will be ahead in Jammu and Kashmir. Though the results are going to be announced on October 8, BJD has become enthusiastic about the possibility. Many leaders of the Opposition party in the State have started praising the INDI Alliance and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, triggering speculations that BJD is getting inclined towards the alliance.

According to BJD leader Debashish Samantaray, INDI Alliance is getting stronger with each passing day and Congress will form the government in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. He further said that the party will also form governments in Haryana and Jharkhand as the popularity of Rahul Gandhi is increasing. However, he clarified that their party will make the decision on whether BJD will join the alliance or not.

“INDI Alliance seems to be intact and strong now. We have been observing on social media that the popularity of Rahul Gandhi is increasing. Our party will decide on joining the alliance. So far, our leader Naveen Patnaik is very clear that we are in the Opposition,” said Samantaray.

Meanwhile, senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya said that India is moving forward after indirectly mentioning about INDI Alliance.

“I will not mention about INDI Alliance. However, I will mention that our country India is moving forward. Elections will be conducted in two, or three more states after Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. Just wait and watch to find out who is heading towards which place,” said Acharya.

In response to the prediction by the exit polls, senior Congress leader Jayadev Jena said that their party is getting stronger across the country.

“The situation will have a definite impact in Odisha. Whoever will not ride the wave will be left way behind. Hence, we have been directed to work by remaining united. Congress wave will sweep the State in coming days,” said Jena.

However, BJP responded by saying that BJD’s stance has changed as the popularity of BJP is increasing in Odisha.

“It’s up to BJD in which alliance they will join. However, it will have no impact in Odisha,” said State BJP Vice-President Golak Mohapatra.

After the poll debacle in the 2024 General Elections, BJD went out of power in the State after 24 years. Members of the regional party have been reduced to zero in the Lok Sabha for the first time. Their number has also come down to seven in Rajya Sabha. BJD leaders Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar have also switched their allegiance to BJP recently.

As per political experts, Naveen Patnaik’s importance in national politics is on the wane. Earlier in June, Naveen had advised his party leaders to remain united as BJP has only two to three more members than the magic number and the saffron party doesn’t have the majority in the Centre. Similarly, BJD senior leader Debashish Samantaray had said in a party meeting in Kujanga a few days earlier that BJD will join hands with Congress to form the government if required. However, BJD had then brushed aside the possibility by saying that it’s Debashish’s personal opinion. However, the recent development has triggered speculation about BJD’s inclination towards INDI Alliance.

“The recent development is a clear indication that BJD is getting inclined towards INDI Alliance and it holds political importance. As BJD is losing its importance in national politics, the party is going to take an important decision and it is evident from Debashish Samantaray’s statement,” said senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty.