Bhubaneswar: The political landscape in Odisha is undergoing significant upheaval, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, grappling with internal discord and leadership challenges.
BJP Government in Odisha
On June 13, 2024, Mohan Majhi was sworn in as Chief Minister, ushering in a new era for Odisha. However, nearly a year later, the cabinet remains incomplete, with several key ministerial positions vacant. Many ministers are first-time legislators, and Majhi himself lacks prior ministerial experience. The only seasoned leader in the cabinet is Deputy Chief Minister Kanakvardhan Singh Deo, alongside Assembly Speaker Surama Padhi. Reports suggest the Majhi administration is heavily influenced by central government loyalists, particularly those close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with bureaucrats playing a significant role in governance.
The government’s promise of 300 units of free electricity has been overshadowed by rising tariffs, inflation, and inefficiencies in essential services. Corruption and mismanagement have further exacerbated the state’s growing debt, eroding public trust. Within the BJP, figures such as Dharmendra Pradhan, Bijayant Panda, and Manmohan Samal are seen as potential contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, while the state government remains under the strong influence of the central leadership.
BJD’s Struggles and Transformation
The Biju Janata Dal, once Odisha’s dominant political force, has suffered major setbacks following its electoral defeat, failing to win a single Lok Sabha seat. Internal discord, coupled with its previous alliance with the BJP, has weakened the party’s standing. Party president Naveen Patnaik faces growing discontent, though many members remain hesitant to challenge his leadership, while several key figures have defected to the BJP.
Despite this, the BJD has repositioned itself as a vocal opposition party, taking a strong stance against BJP-led central policies. Key issues include concerns over delimitation, electoral transparency, and voter list discrepancies.
Opposition to Delimitation
Patnaik’s participation in an all-party meeting in Chennai on March 22, 2025, hosted by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, marked a significant shift in the BJD’s approach. The meeting addressed concerns over the delimitation process, which seeks to redraw parliamentary constituencies based on population. The BJD argues that Odisha, which has successfully controlled its population growth, should not be penalized with reduced representation in Parliament. Patnaik has called for a balanced approach that considers factors beyond population size.
This stance is not new, Patnaik had earlier opposed the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations, arguing that they favoured states with higher population growth rates. He had advocated using the 1971 Census instead of the 2011 Census for financial devolution calculations to protect Odisha’s share of resources.
Calls for Electoral Transparency
The BJD has also raised concerns over electoral transparency. On March 11, 2025, a party delegation submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding an independent audit of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The party cited discrepancies in electronic voting machine (EVM) tallies, particularly in districts like Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, and Balangir. It has called for a "process audit" involving independent oversight, mandatory VVPAT slip verification, and enhanced citizen participation in election monitoring.
BJD’s evolving role in National Politics
Historically an ally of the BJP, the BJD has now repositioned itself as a critic of the central government. While it had previously supported key legislative measures like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), its recent opposition to policies such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and demands for greater electoral transparency mark a strategic shift. The party has also joined opposition voices in raising concerns over national issues, including paper leaks in NEET and NET exams.
As Odisha’s political landscape evolves, the growing rivalry between the BJP and the resurgent BJD is set to shape the state's future, with both parties vying for dominance in the years ahead.
