From BJD’s Naveen Patnaik to BJP’s Mohan Charan Majhi: A shift in Odisha's political landscape

NEW DELHI: After 24 long years, the people of Odisha voted for a change. Naveen Patnaik, one of the most popular leaders of the state was voted out of power. Patnaik, who entered politics following the death of his father, Biju Patnaik, led Odisha with a vision rooted in regional pride and development. He won people's hearts, and also votes, with his focus on social welfare and transparency.However, Patnaik's governance faced criticism over time for becoming increasingly detached from the electorate and overly reliant on bureaucratic advisors, notably V K Pandian. While the BJP had made inroads in the state in the last elections winning 9 out of 21 seats in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and 23 out of 147 seats in the state assembly, the magnitude of the saffron party's win in the state must have surprised even the BJD.
The V K Pandian factor: While there may have been several factors that led to the fall of Naveen Patnaik, the most immediate and perhaps the most noticeable was his over dependence on bureaucrat turned politician V K Pandian. Pandian who served as Patnaik's personal secretary for a long period before quitting his job and joining politics, called the shots within BJD in the run up to the elections. Pandian was the most visible face and the most important voice in the party. So much so, many perceived Pandian as the political heir of Naveen Patnaik. By the time, Naveen Patnaik announced that Pandian was not his political heir, it was perhaps too late for the party. Pandian's strong influence in BJD's politics had already led to the exodus of several old leaders of the party. The BJP, which was gradually spreading its base in the state displacing the Congress, gained from this exodus.

Economic and social woes spark anti-incumbency sentiment against BJD: After 24 years of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) rule, public fatigue with the party's governance became increasingly apparent. Voters grew disillusioned with a leadership seen as out of touch with local realities, as economic and social issues like high unemployment and low education indices persisted. These problems, once mitigated by the BJD’s welfare schemes that had bolstered Naveen Patnaik’s popularity, lost their effectiveness over time. This decline in governance created an opportunity for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to highlight these failings and position themselves as a viable alternative, leading to a shift away from the BJD.
Cultural controversies: The Ratna Bhandar issue, involving the missing key to the treasury of Lord Jagannath, was exploited by the BJP to highlight alleged disrespect to Odia culture by the BJD. This resonated with the electorate, who saw it as a symbol of the party's disconnect with regional pride.
Fishermen communities’ unrest: The BJD also faced unrest from Odisha's marine fishermen, who were unhappy with the government’s policies affecting their livelihoods. The high cost of diesel has crippled fishing operations, forcing many fishermen to reduce their activities or work collectively to save on fuel. Srikant Parida, president of the Odisha Marine Fish Producers Association, highlighted the lack of subsidized diesel and the dire financial situation of the fishermen. Repeated pleas for subsidies and inclusion in social security schemes went unheeded by the state government, leading to widespread frustration.
Closed doors of Lord Jagannath Temple:The Bharatiya Janata Party leveraged closure of the Jagannath Temple’s gates as an issue in their campaign, which contributed to their electoral success. In Odisha, where devotion to Lord Jagannath holds immense cultural significance, the temple had been closed to devotees since the pandemic lockdown began on March 25, 2020. Although it reopened nine months later on December 23, only the main entrance remained accessible. The government, led by Naveen Patnaik, cited the 'Sri Mandir Parikrama' project as the reason for keeping the other gates closed. Despite the inauguration of the corridor, the three gates stayed closed, leading to long queues at the Singhadwara and growing demands for their reopening.
The BJP in Odisha, had been vocal about reopening all four gates. They accused the BJD government of obstructing the connection between devotees and their deities and framed the issue as an attack on 'Odia pride' (Odia asmita).


Effective campaigning and the drift from BJD:The BJP’s successful campaign focused on addressing local issues and leveraging anti-incumbency sentiment. The party highlighted economic challenges and cultural grievances, positioning itself as a viable alternative to the BJD. Initially, the BJD formed an alliance with the BJP, which lasted until 2009. This partnership helped BJP to establish a strong political base in the state.
The alliance broke up due to policy disagreements and conflicts over seat sharing, pushing the BJD to contest elections independently. Under Patnaik’s leadership, the party's focus on development, women's empowerment, and disaster management resonated well with voters, leading to significant electoral victories. In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the BJD’s dominance was evident with substantial wins in both the state assembly and Lok Sabha seats, partly due to its decision to field a significant percentage of women candidates.

Playing the Odia Pride card and VK Pandian’s influence:The BJP skillfully capitalized on regional sentiments by playing the Odia Pride card, appealing to voters' deep cultural connections and their desire for local representation. They criticized the BJD's dependence on non-Odia advisors, particularly the influence of V K Pandian, whose increasing public role and influence over administrative decisions, despite being a non-Odia bureaucrat, was resented by many. This strategic focus on Odia identity and dissatisfaction with Pandian’s prominence resonated with the electorate, bolstering the BJP's appeal and contributing to their electoral success in Odisha.