BJP counters BJD over ‘Operation Lotus’ allegation as both sides trade charges in Odisha Assembly

A rising debate unfolded in the Odisha Assembly on Friday after BJD MLA Goutam Buddha Das accused the BJP of coercing local leaders under a covert ‘Operation Lotus’, prompting an immediate and sharp rebuttal from BJP MLA Bibhuti Pradhan.

The confrontation came amid ongoing political churn within the BJD, marked by recent high-profile exits and speculation of more leaders shifting allegiance.

BJD Alleges Threats, Coercion In Local Bodies

Raising the issue during the Panchayati Raj department’s expenditure discussion, BJD’s Goutam Buddha Das alleged that the BJP was attempting to engineer defections at the grassroots level.

He claimed that the party was pressuring block chairpersons and panchayat representatives to switch sides despite lacking organisational depth across rural Odisha.

Das said the BJP had no representation in over 90 percent of panchayat samitis and 100 percent of Zila Parishads, alleging that the party was instead relying on intimidation rather than electoral strength.

He told the House that officials were being targeted and pressured to join the BJP “in the name of Operation Lotus”, asserting that people cannot be taken away even if elected representatives are compelled.

BJP Says BJD ‘Collapsing On Its Own’

Responding to the claim, BJP MLA Bibhuti Pradhan dismissed the allegation as baseless and said there was neither any justification nor any need for his party to conduct any such operation.

Pradhan argued that the BJD was experiencing an internal breakdown, remarking that the party lost government and members while Naveen Patnaik is still alive.

He added that the BJD would see further erosion after the upcoming panchayat elections, asserting that those still within the party would also leave. According to him, the organisation was weakening on its own, rendering any alleged ‘Operation Lotus’ unnecessary.

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Ongoing Churn Within BJD

The Assembly confrontation comes at a time of heightened political movement in Odisha. Earlier in November, former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik emerged as the latest senior leader to join the BJP.

Known for his policy-oriented profile within the BJD, Patnaik formally entered the BJP during a merger event in Bhubaneswar. Patnaik’s move itself came along with the switch of Jay Dholakia, who went on to win the high-stakes Nuapada bypoll.