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Odisha’s political landscape appears increasingly unsettled, with three major parties—BJD, BJP, and Congress—facing significant internal confusion over leadership and organisation.
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Odisha’s evolving political dynamics
Among them, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) remains the most discussed. Despite holding its internal party president election on April 19, where Naveen Patnaik was re-elected as president for the ninth time, the party has failed to announce its State Executive Committee. As per the party norms, this committee should include 355 State Council members and 81 Executive members, but no names have been disclosed yet.
The delay is fueling speculation and growing dissatisfaction within the BJD. Internal sources reveal that group rivalries are intensifying. BJD rebel corporator Amaresh Jena has alleged that a select few sycophants are dominating decision-making. He claims that the leadership is deliberately withholding the committee list from public view.
In contrast, the party’s senior leadership maintains that only competent individuals will be appointed and Naveen Patnaik will make the final call at the appropriate time.
“BJD is an organised political party and we all should work together; rather than being keen for positions in the party. We have to make the party people-oriented, which is the most significant responsibility of all of us,” BJD MLA Ananta Narayan Jena said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha is not faring any better. Despite forming its first-ever solo government in the State, the new state president is yet to be selected, and many key board and corporation positions remain vacant. With June 12 marking one year of the new government, this sluggishness raises eyebrows.
“We take into consideration the opinions of every ordinary worker of BJP, hence there is the delay. The National President of our party (JP Nadda) was a booth-level worker one day. Present Home Minister Amit Shah was also the National President who rose from grassroots level. Ours is a party where an ordinary worker can attain an extra-ordinary position,” senior BJP leader Suresh Pujari stated.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) finally appointed Bhakta Das as its new state president after nearly a year-long vacancy. However, the party has yet to form its state committee or its frontal organisations. A lack of grassroots structure and leadership unity continues to plague the party, with dissent and disorganisation growing louder day by day.
“Congress has not yet formed the party committees. However, under the leadership of Bhakta Das, we all starting from student, youth, and women wings of Congress including Adivasi, Harijan and Minor Community cells are working together,” senior Congress leader Suresh Routray expressed.
The situation across all three parties reflects a concerning trend—leadership indecision, factionalism, and failure to build strong internal structures. Though Congress has promised to resolve disputes and form committees soon, the clock is ticking.
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Now, all eyes are on how soon these parties can regain cohesion and what new agendas they might bring forward amid Odisha’s evolving political dynamics.
