Will the BJD crumble in Odisha and Naveen Patnaik be left alone?

It seems that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing a massive challenge following a shift in power dynamics in Odisha after the 2024 general elections with discontent appears to be brewing within the ranks in the party. Such a situation has cropped up before the BJD for the first time after it was dethroned by the BJP in the last concluded elections.

Under such circumstances, several questions have cropped up - whether the BJD will crumble and its party president Naveen Patnaik left all alone?

The BJD is witnessing an unsettling fragmentation of its political landscape in several regions such as Paradip, Jatani in Khordha, Simulia in Balasore, and Korei in Jajpur. Disillusionment with the BJD seems to be pushing its members towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with internal conflicts and neglected grievances cited as key reasons for these defections.

Also Read: What Naveen Patnaik said about his successor in BJD

Growing Discontent

Senior BJD leader Ashok Panda said, “We need to strengthen the party and it should be everybody’s responsibility so that we can hold the fort.”

BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The mandate is still in favour of BJD and we will move forward by taking everybody. The rumours which are going on are baseless and we need to counter them.”

Also Read: BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik blames EVM for party’s poll debacle; BJP responds

Korei which was once the stronghold of the BJD is also crumbling. BJP's outreach initiatives have reportedly attracted over 300 leaders, including sarpanches, committee members, and more than 100 grassroots workers, who have defected from the BJD.

Internal Rifts

The defections have intensified internal divisions, particularly apparent during the BJD's recent foundation day celebrations in Jatani. There was a noticeable absence of BJD members at the event, with allegations of certain leaders not being invited.

However, Khordha district BJD President and Jatani MLA, Bibhuti Bhushan Balabantaray, attributed these adverse weather conditions and other reasons.

“Those who do not have political knowledge will make such mistakes,” said Balabantaray.

Paradip faces similar challenges, with separate and simultaneous programmes held by different factions, indicating deep internal schisms. 

In the bustling town of Nauabajar, a significant political event unfolded as supporters of local leaders, Bapi Sarkhel and Sambit Rautray, gathered to inaugurate a new party office. This comes amidst a flurry of political activity as leaders and their supporters navigate shifting alliances and agendas in the region. 

At the same time, a separate event took place near the iconic Biju statue in Atharbanki, where Basant Biswal, President of the Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJD) in the city, led another gathering. 

Things are no different at Simulia as different factions celebrated the foundation day independently, signalling a lack of cohesive unity after MLA candidate Subhasini Sahu attended separate events at Simulia and Khaira while district president Jyotiprakash Panigrahi organised a foundation day event at another place with supporters.