BJP-BJD Alliance Talks Resurface As PM Modi, Naveen Patnaik Exchange Praise
The talk of a potential BJP-BJD alliance gained momentum on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, hailing him as a “popular CM”. In turn, Patnaik commended PM Modi for his role in elevating India”s status as an “economic powerhouse”, marking the second public display of camaraderie between the two leaders in a month.
During his visit to Chandikhole in Jajpur district to inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth nearly Rs 20,000 crore, PM Modi also paid tribute to the legacy of Naveen”s late father, two-time Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, on his 108th birth anniversary.
“Biju Babu”s invaluable contributions to the development of Odisha and the nation remain unmatched,” PM Modi stated. “It”s an honor for me to pay homage on behalf of India from Odisha.”
While PM Modi refrained from direct criticism of the Odisha government, he directed his scrutiny towards the Congress and other parties within the opposition INDIA bloc. “For INDIA, family takes precedence, while for Modi, the nation comes first,” he remarked.
The camaraderie between Modi and Naveen was palpable during Tuesday”s event, reminiscent of their interactions at an official program in Sambalpur on February 3, just ahead of the announcement of dates for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in several states, including Odisha.
Naveen Patnaik has praised the Prime Minister for his contributions to India”s trajectory and Odisha”s development, expressing a desire for his support in serving the people of Odisha.
There have been notable signs indicating a potential alliance between the two parties, especially since their fallout just before the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. At the time, Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP of inciting riots in Kandhamal district following the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. However, in the last 2-3 years, there have been numerous instances of the two parties collaborating.
Sources suggest that discussions are ongoing to finalize an electoral arrangement, possibly involving the BJP contesting a significant portion of Lok Sabha seats while allowing the BJD to field candidates in a larger number of assembly constituencies.
Recent visits by key figures such as PM Modi’s principal secretary PK Mishra to Odisha and Naveen”s close associate VK Pandian to Delhi are being viewed as part of these negotiation efforts.
While the parties were in a coalition for 11 years starting in 1997, the political landscape in 2024 differs significantly. Today, the BJP has emerged as the principal opposition party, surpassing the Congress in terms of both state legislature MLAs and Members of Parliament. Joining forces with the BJD would potentially marginalise the Congress entirely from the opposition space.
The BJD”s electoral dominance has been remarkable, with the party holding a substantial majority in the current assembly. In the Odisha assembly, the BJD has 112 of the total 147 MLAs, the BJP has 23, and the Congress just 9.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD won 12 of 21 constituencies, the BJP 8, and the Congress 1. Looking at the impressive gains that the BJP made between 2014 and 2019 and given that the party is poised to do even better in 2024, an alliance with the BJD may not be politically advantageous.
