Soumya Ranjan Patnaik blames ‘arrogance’ for BJD defeat in 2024 polls, targets Naveen, Pandian

Former BJD legislator and senior journalist Soumya Ranjan Patnaik has again launched a strong attack on his former party, this time blaming arrogance among its leaders for the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) defeat in the 2024 Odisha Assembly elections.

Speaking as chief guest at the 83rd Shaheed Divas observance in Nimapara of Puri district, Patnaik said the party’s leadership had grown disconnected from the people and failed to reflect on the reasons for its loss.

Arrogance Cited As Reason For Defeat

Addressing the gathering, Patnaik said, “These days, our leaders are blinded by arrogance. Even those who lost are unwilling to accept that it was arrogance that brought their downfall. If someone asks me why the BJD lost this election, I will say it was because of arrogance. Had there been less pride, perhaps they might have won.”

He added that political arrogance had become evident both among winners and losers. The remarks were made in the presence of former minister Samir Ranjan Dash, block president Shankar Bhoi, and other local leaders.

No reaction has so far been issued by the BJD in response to Patnaik’s comments.

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Sharp Remarks At Book Release

Patnaik’s criticism follows similar attacks made in August at the launch of a book titled ‘Naveen Patnaik’ in Bhubaneswar. Speaking at the event, he alleged that the former chief minister had ceded “hundred per cent control” of the party to VK Pandian, the bureaucrat-turned-politician long regarded as Naveen Patnaik’s closest aide.

He further commented on Naveen Patnaik’s health, stating that he had no desire to visit the former CM in hospital, as some leaders who did so later found themselves politically sidelined. 

Earlier in April, Patnaik had openly targeted Naveen Patnaik during the controversy over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. After BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra supported the bill, several senior leaders had urged Naveen Patnaik to take disciplinary action. The former chief minister, however, maintained silence on the matter.