A New Dawn in Odisha: BJP Overtakes BJD After 24 Years

End of an Era: Naveen Patnaik’s Reign Concludes After Two Decades

The political landscape of Odisha has undergone a seismic shift as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year tenure comes to an abrupt end. The results of the recent elections have thwarted Patnaik’s aspirations for a sixth consecutive term and the chance to become the nation’s longest-serving chief minister.

As the clock struck 8:30 pm on Tuesday, the BJD’s hold on the 147-member Assembly had dwindled to just 50 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surged ahead with a victory in 79 seats, surpassing the majority mark of 74. The Congress party managed to lead in 14 seats.

In a parallel outcome, the BJP dominated the Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, leading in 19 out of 21 seats, leaving the BJD and the Congress to lead in Jajpur and Koraput, respectively.

A significant setback for the BJD was the loss of Naveen Patnaik in Kantabanji, his secondary contesting seat, although he managed to retain his traditional seat of Hinjili.

The BJP’s strategic portrayal of V.K. Pandian, the chief minister’s close aide and a bureaucrat-turned-politician, as an “outsider” seemed to resonate with the electorate. This narrative, coupled with the controversy surrounding the missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar at the Jagannath temple, was amplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his campaign, striking a chord with the Odia populace’s sentiment.

Naveen Patnaik’s political journey has been marked by its ups and downs, especially his relationship with the BJP. Initially reluctant to enter politics, Patnaik was thrust into the limelight following his father Biju Patnaik’s demise in 1997. His subsequent victory in the Lok Sabha by-election from Aska led to his ministerial role in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and eventually to the formation of a coalition government in Odisha in 2000.

Despite a successful alliance with the BJP for nearly nine years, the partnership disintegrated prior to the 2009 elections amidst allegations of the BJP’s involvement in anti-Christian riots. The BJD’s sweeping victory in the 2009 polls solidified Naveen’s position as the unchallenged leader of Odisha.

However, the entry of V.K. Pandian into politics marked a turning point. His voluntary retirement from the IAS and subsequent involvement in the BJD in October 2023 raised concerns over his influence on the administration. Allegations of undue interference and decision-making on behalf of Naveen Patnaik cast a shadow over the BJD’s image.

The BJP capitalized on this growing discontent, with Modi addressing the issues of Naveen’s health and the question of political succession. Despite Naveen’s late clarification that Pandian was not his successor, the damage was done, and the election results have now set the stage for a new chapter in Odisha’s political narrative.