New BJD in the making! Senior leader Amar Satpathy hints at major political shift

Senior BJD leader Amar Prasad Satpathy has hinted at the formation of a new Biju Janata Dal (BJD), stating on Wednesday that only true BJD workers and supporters will shape the new party in the days ahead.

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Amar Satpathy’s comments follow increasing discontent among BJD members who feel the current leadership is moving away from the core ideology and distancing itself from grassroots workers.

The senior leader expressed concerns that the present BJD is no longer connected to the people and party workers. He warned that if the party continues to deviate from its founding policies and principles, more leaders and workers will likely drift away in the coming days.

When asked by journalists who might emerge as the "Eknath Shinde" of the BJD, hinting at a possible internal rebellion, Amar Satpathy responded cryptically, "Who can say if the person is still rising in Gopa or has already reached Mathura?" His statement adds weight to yesterday’s subtle remarks made by former MP Tathagata Satpathy, which Amar has now openly endorsed.

The political undertone suggests that a parallel BJD movement may soon take shape, led by those within the party who are disillusioned with the current direction.

“If the party (BJD) will not run based on principles and policies, Odisha people will gradually drift away from us. The incidents that occurred yesterday, former Rajya Sabha member N Bhaskar Rao and Lal Bihari Himirika quitting the party, are a statewide phenomenon and are not limited to Rayagada alone,” the senior leader stated.

“Orissa's Biju Janata Dal (BJD), by deciding not to vote in tomorrow's Vice Prez election, seems to have ‘hara kiri-ed’ its total political existence .... whatever little remained,” former MP Tathagata Satpathy had posted yesterday on his personal X handle.