BJP’s rise rooted in ideology, not blame games: Odisha chief Manmohan Samal

After the BJP registered a resounding victory in the Nuapada bypoll, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal on Saturday stated that the party’s steady rise is driven by its unwavering ideology and commitment to the nation, not by allegations or political confrontation.

Responding to Opposition charges of ‘vote chori,’ Samal said, “We have been working on our ideology for a long time. We don’t want to play blame games.”

Tracing the party’s ideological journey, he recalled its origins. “In 1964, Bharatiya Jana Sangh was established in Odisha’s Jharsuguda, and the BJP was founded in 1980. We have set our ideology keeping the nation first. It always focuses on making the nation great,” he said.

Samal noted that the BJP was born by dismantling its predecessor. “When Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed the BJP in 1980, we dismantled Bharatiya Jana Sangh. For us, our nation is at the top. We don’t say this only in speeches,” he added while referring to the sacrifices during the Emergency. 

“During the 19-month Emergency, lakhs were jailed. Then Bharatiya Jana Sangh merged with the BJP. For us, it is country first, then society, then party, and then us. We have learnt to kill our party to save democracy.”

Highlighting how the party prioritised principles over power, Samal said, “In 1980, from our 99 MPs, only three got ministerial berths—Vajpayee, Advani and Verma. Vajpayee told us to leave ministerial posts.”

Samal also recalled Vajpayee’s message to workers in Mumbai. He said, “Vajpayee told us to build the party. He said the BJP would become an alternative to Congress. He even said we might come to power only after 2020.”

Despite that prediction, the BJP surged ahead much earlier. “In 1991, we became the alternative party. In 1996, we became the number one party,” Samal said.

Also Read: Nuapada Bypoll Result: Odisha Minister Criticises Opposition’s Negative Politics

Samal also emphasised that BJP workers showed extraordinary dedication despite the uncertainty of power. 

“Why did workers not leave the party despite knowing it may not come to power soon? It is the party’s ideology,” he asserted.