Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Wednesday reiterated that it continues to maintain equidistance from both the ruling party and the Congress-led Opposition while prioritising the rights and interests of the people of Odisha above all else.
This comes a day after the party made an exception to this policy as its Rajya Sabha members joined the INDIA bloc’s protest march in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a press briefing, BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty emphasised that as a responsible regional party, the BJD has consistently worked for the interests, rights and entitlements of Odias. “Whenever the state’s interests have been affected, the party has raised its voice and taken the fight to the streets on behalf of the people,” he stressed.
Mohanty stated that the BJD strongly opposes the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, which the party believes curtails Odisha’s rights over its mineral resource. “The legislation undermines the state’s fiscal autonomy and potential revenues from its substantial mineral resources. We have been organising statewide protests to build public opinion against the Act,” he noted.
Earlier in the day, the BJD staged an economic blockade in Hemgir mining belt of Sundaragada district, disrupting mining and transportation activities and stranding thousands of vehicle. Senior leaders including Sundaragada MLA Jogesh Kumar Singh participated, reiterating demands for the Act’s withdrawal to protect Odisha’s mineral rights and development prospects. This followed earlier demonstrations led by BJD president in Bhubaneswar, where the party alleged the amendment could cost the state thousands of crores annually in lost revenue and limit its powers following a favourable Supreme Court ruling on mineral taxation.
Mohanty further highlighted that the party had also launched a state-wide agitation against the Minister of School and Mass Education over the publication of more than 1,800 error-ridden textbooks. “The issue was taken up across Odisha, with the BJD reiterating that there can be no compromise on quality of school education and the future of students,” he said.
On the Special Summary Revision (SIR) issue and Opposition rally, he asserted that protest formed part of a broader campaign regarding voter list revisions, pointing out serious irregularities where large numbers of legitimate voters were omitted, including 27.5 lakh in Odisha alone. “The BJD participated in the New Delhi demonstration specifically as part of its stance to safeguard the voting rights of citizens,” he said.
Mohanty further clarified the party’s position on a bandh called for the following day, stating that the BJD neither supports nor opposes it. “We have maintained an independent and principled stand. Our focus is on the rights and interests of the people of Odisha. The BJD has maintained equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress and will continue to take decisions based on the interests of Odisha and its people,” he added.
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Though BJD asserted that it was not part of the INDIA bloc, its decision to join the Opposition protest, according political analysts, had signalled that the gloves are off in its fight against the BJP, marking a departure from the party’s earlier working relationship with the BJP-led NDA. However, the U-turn indicate the fluid nature of its tactical alignment with the Centre.