BJD searches for footing in stronghold Ganjam as organisational vacuum deepens after 2024 setback

Once considered the unshakeable stronghold of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Ganjam district is today witnessing an uneasy phase marked by leadership gaps, organisational drift and visible uncertainty at the grassroots.

The party, which had dominated all 13 Assembly segments in the district for years, was reduced to a single seat in the 2024 elections, with party president Naveen Patnaik retaining only his Hinjili constituency.

More than a year after losing power in the state, the party is yet to restore political momentum in the district that formed the backbone of its electoral success for over two decades.

In interactions with OTV, local leaders admit that the absence of regular engagement from the top leadership and the incarceration of the district party president have left the organisation without clear direction.

Leadership Absence And Long-Distance Coordination

Sources reported that Naveen Patnaik has not visited Hinjili in recent months, prompting party leaders and elected representatives from the constituency to travel nearly 200 kilometres to Bhubaneswar to raise local issues. Several leaders met Patnaik at his residence earlier this week, seeking intervention on constituency-related matters.

Subhash Palai, in charge of the Hinjili sub-committee, said the concerns were formally conveyed to the party supremo.

“It has been one year since we lost the government here. We informed Sir about the situation in the constituency and requested him to visit Hinjili. He has assured us that he will make a trip sometime in January,” Palai said.

While party insiders maintain that Patnaik remains fully briefed despite his physical absence from the constituency, the lack of visible political activity on the ground has triggered unease among workers and supporters.

District Unit Head Behind Bars

Compounding the situation is the arrest of Ganjam BJD president and former Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda in connection with the murder case of BJP leader and reputed advocate Pitabas Panda. With the district chief lodged in Berhampur jail, organisational activity has slowed considerably, according to party workers.

The BJD had appointed Panda to strengthen the district unit after the 2024 electoral rout, but his arrest has effectively stalled those efforts. Senior party leaders, including BJD vice-president Pratap Jena, visited Panda in jail on Monday and alleged political motivation behind his arrest.

“He has been trapped due to conspiracy and political motives. We have full faith in Lord Jagannath and believe that truth will prevail,” Jena said after the meeting.

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Party Defends Organisational Strength

Despite visible challenges, BJD leaders insist that the party’s base in Ganjam remains intact. Chandrasekhar Sahoo, a senior BJD leader, said the party continues to enjoy grassroots support and would regain lost ground in the upcoming local body elections.

“The BJD is very much alive at the grassroots. In the panchayat and municipal elections ahead, the party will regain its strength and vigour,” Sahoo said.

Analysts Flag Structural Concerns

Political analysts, however, see deeper organisational issues. With the district president in jail and no alternative leadership structure clearly in place, the party’s chain of command appears weakened.

“At present, the party’s regional president is lodged in jail. The situation resembles a train moving without a pilot,” said political analyst Nirmal Sahoo. “Based on current trends, the BJD could face significant damage unless it addresses this leadership vacuum quickly.”

As of now, the party has not announced any interim arrangement for the Ganjam district unit, and no official schedule has been released regarding Naveen Patnaik’s proposed visit to Hinjili.