Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has hinted at the possibility of rekindling ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming polls and assembly elections.No formal announcement made, but leaders hint at alliance.
This comes 15 years after the BJD left the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over seat-sharing issues.
Although no formal announcement has been made, leaders of both parties have dropped hints of a possible alliance. The BJD left the NDA in 2009 after an 11-year political partnership, marking a significant political shift in the state.
BJD leaders held a three-hour meeting at Naveen Niwas, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. At the same time, Odisha BJP officials met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda in New Delhi to discuss electoral matters, including the possibility of an alliance with the BJD.
After the BJD meeting, party vice-president and MLA Debi Prasad Mishra acknowledged discussions about a potential alliance with the BJP. He emphasized that the BJD will prioritize the larger interests of the people of Odisha and highlighted the state’s significant progress under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik.
A press release issued by Debi Mishra and BJD senior general secretary Arun Kumar Sahoo said the meeting included extensive discussions on strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
Senior BJP leader and MP Jual Oram confirmed the alliance discussions but noted that the final decision would be taken by the party’s central leadership.
With 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 constituencies, Odisha has significance in national politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured eight parliamentary constituencies and 23 assembly seats, while the BJD won 12 parliamentary constituencies and 112 assembly seats.
Sources indicate a strong possibility of an alliance between the BJP and the BJD, with the final decision depending on factors such as the number of seats each party can contest in the Lok Sabha elections. In case of an alliance, the BJP is expected to contest for most of the Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, while the BJD will target most of the Assembly seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have publicly praised each other, further fueling speculation of a potential alliance. During PM Modi’s recent visit to Odisha, he appreciated the contribution of Biju Patnaik, father of Naveen Patnaik and former chief minister of Odisha, to the development of the state and the nation. The Prime Minister expressed his honor by paying tribute to Biju Baba on behalf of the country.
The BJD and the BJP had a political alliance for 11 years, starting in 1998, during which they won three Lok Sabha elections and two assembly polls in Odisha. The partnership broke up in 2009 due to failed seat-sharing talks.
The evolving political landscape in Odisha and the ongoing discussions between the BJD and the BJP signal potential changes in the state’s political dynamics. As the two parties navigate the intricacies of electoral alliances, the upcoming elections will shed light on the political direction Odisha will take in the coming years.
(Sources)
