Bhubaneswar: The BJP formed its maiden government in Odisha on June 12, 2024, after the saffron surge drowned the BJD in 2024 elections, putting an end to the 24-year-long reign of Naveen Patnaik as chief minister.
It was on this day (June 4) a year ago that the votes were counted and the BJP swept the 2024 Assembly polls by clinching 78 of the 147 seats. The BJD won 51 seats and Naveen tasted his maiden defeat in Kantabanji assembly seat. The Congress won 14 seats while the CPI(M) won one seat. Independents won three seats.
The state has witnessed a tectonic shift in its political landscape since then. While Mohan Charan Majhi was a surprise pick of the BJP as its first Chief Minister in Odisha, the BJD found itself as the main Opposition after ruling the state for decades. Seeking to stage a political revival amid the emergence of BJP as the ruling party and strong presence of BJD in the Opposition despite its defeat in the 2024 elections, Congress appointed senior party leader and former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das as the president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC).
But has BJP been able to consolidate its position a year after its unexpected victory? Where does BJD stand a year after losing the polls? As BJP-BJD bonhomie continues, can Congress revive its political fortunes in Odisha?
BJP Far from Fulfilling Promises!
The BJP came to power promising change. Soon after assuming office, decisions to open all four gates of Shree Jagannath Temple and implement schemes for farmers and women were taken. While Mohan Majhi government has launched Subhadra Yojana, a key election promise, it is accused of renaming or rebranding several schemes of the previous BJD regime.
Issues like Polavaram, Mahanadi, and Kotia have also remained unresolved.
Similarly, there has been no significant action with regards to alleged corruption by the BJD highlighted during the twin elections. Only small-time BJD leaders have so far been targeted.
The BJP had directly attacked BJD’s power centre, V K Pandian, but there has neither been any investigation into use of state funds for the helipads and his chopper rides nor the corruption allegations against him.
Some IAS officers, previously targeted by the BJP, have been sent on central deputation.
Discussions in political circles also indicate there has been little significant changes in the governance system.
Mouting Trouble After Loss Of Power!
The BJD, which ruled the state for 24 years, is now in the Opposition. However, it has failed to pull off this role with gumption. Instead the party has found itself battling internal discord since its defeat in the polls. This escalated further during the party’s controversial vote on the Waqf Bill. Rather than being a strong opposition, the BJD appeared more like a collaborator with the BJP government.
While the regional party has raised issues like OBC reservation and crimes against women, it has failed to target the government directly.
Two BJD MPs have switched sides to the BJP, and the party has also faced setbacks at the grassroots levels.
Although V K Pandian claims to have withdrawn from active politics, there have been murmurs that he continues to wield influence over BJD president Naveen Patnaik. This has led to a perceived split within the BJD, and has also eroded public trust in the party.
Congress: The Name Of Possibility!
Congress, the third major party in the state, has appeared more organised than the BJD in recent times. Soon after Bhakta Charan Das took charge as the new OPCC president, the party opened its doors to veteran leaders. While the BJD finds itself in a position weaker than before, Congress is striving to strengthen itself and is making efforts to position itself as the main Opposition in the state. The attempt at a political revival saw the party stalling Assembly proceedings and aggressively taking to the streets over women safety.
To bolster its standing, Congress, however, must engage in careful political strategizing and dedicated effort, as it lacks organisational strength.