BJP’s electoral triumphs: A game-changer in Odisha politics?

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hoped that it will repeat the success of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in Odisha in the general elections 2024 and dethrone Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, which has been in power since last 23 years.  

Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament Pratap Chandra Sarangi has confidently proclaimed that the outcomes will significantly impact the political landscape of Odisha.

According to Sarangi, the success achieved in these states will be replicated in Odisha during the upcoming general elections next year.

Sarangi emphasized that in the current scenario of Indian politics, there is no alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He attributed the massive wins in the three states to the voters’ unwavering confidence in Modi, highlighting that the BJP contested without announcing a Chief Ministerial candidate. According to him, this strategy was successful due to the people’s trust in Prime Minister Modi.

The BJP leader pointed out that the people of Odisha have exhibited complete faith in Narendra Modi, a sentiment validated by various surveys. Sarangi predicted that the upcoming elections in the state would be influenced by the popularity of the Prime Minister, dismissing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as a viable alternative.

“The election results will have far-reaching consequences in Odisha too. The flag of victory will flow in every nook and corner of the state and create new history. Odisha has already been witnessing the effect, and the party is going to win in the state,” asserted Sarangi.

Backing this viewpoint, BJP National Vice-President Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda noted that he personally witnessed strong support for the party among Odia people residing in neighboring Chhattisgarh. He believes that the massive victory in Chhattisgarh will significantly impact the elections in Odisha as well.

To celebrate the victories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, BJP workers in Odisha distributed sweets at the party office in Bhubaneswar. However, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) remains undeterred, expressing confidence that the election results in other states will have no bearing on Odisha’s political landscape.

Speaking to the media, BJD leader Samir Ranjan Dash portrayed Odisha as a unique state that has consistently defied political experts’ expectations. Dash highlighted Naveen Patnaik’s remarkable five consecutive victories and pointed to the increasing vote share revealed in the recent Panchayat results.

Dash confidently stated, “National parties are fighting on national issues which will have no effect on Odisha. People have full faith in BJD and CM Patnaik, and that has been proved many times and will be proved in the coming elections too.”

As the political narratives clash, only time will tell whether the recent triumphs in other states will indeed reshape the political dynamics of Odisha or if the BJD’s stronghold will remain unshaken in the face of national influences.