The speculation surrounding the alliance gained traction following the exchange of praise between PM Modi and Naveen Patnaik.
The political landscape in Odisha is abuzz as the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) teases the possibility of a strategic alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections along with the Assembly polls.
Leaders of the BJD recently met at Naveen Niwas, the official residence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while BJP leaders, including its state unit chief Manmohan Samal, gathered in the national capital for a parallel meeting with a particular focus on exploring the possibility of forging an alliance.
The speculation surrounding the alliance gained traction following the exchange of praise between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Patnaik. Both leaders commended each other”s contributions, with the BJD demonstrating support for the Modi government”s agenda in Parliament.
A potential agreement between the two parties signifies a notable shift in the state”s political landscape, particularly considering the BJD”s departure from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 15 years ago.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed little surprise, suggesting that a formal announcement would merely be a facade as the two parties were never true rivals. “We’ve always been saying that the BJD and the BJP are two sides of the same coin. The BJD has always supported the BJP in Parliament and whatever opposition the two show to each other in the state is merely shadow boxing. The cat appears to be emerging out of the bag!” Ramesh remarked on X.
Although no formal announcement has been made, BJD vice president and MLA Debi Prasad Mishra confirmed the discussions while refraining from confirming the formation of an alliance. “The Biju Janata Dal will prioritize the greater interests of the people of Odisha. Yes, discussions on the alliance took place,” Mishra informed reporters after the meeting at Naveen Niwas.
Senior BJP leader and MP Jual Oram, following a meeting chaired by BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi, confirmed discussions on a pre-poll alliance with the BJD. However, he added that the final decision rests with the party”s central leadership. “Yes, discussions on the alliance, among other issues, took place. The party”s central leadership will have the final say,” Oram said.
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.
The strategic significance of Odisha, with 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 assembly seats, is not lost on either political faction. In the 2019 elections, the BJD and BJP secured 12 and 8 parliamentary constituencies, respectively. Sources indicate that in the event of an alliance, the BJP would primarily contest Lok Sabha seats, while the BJD would focus on assembly seats.
For the Assembly elections, the BJD is reportedly vying for a larger share, proposing to contest 105 out of the 147 available seats, leaving the BJP with 42 seats. Simultaneously, in the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is expected to secure a substantial portion of the seats, likely around 13-14 out of the 21 seats in Odisha.
The BJD will also get an assurance of the CM post, central ‘protection’ and financial benefits for the state, sources said. The final decision is expected soon.
The BJD-BJP alliance was orchestrated by senior leaders Bijay Mohapatra and the late Pramod Mahajan in February 1998. This alliance yielded success in two assembly elections and three Lok Sabha polls in Odisha, cementing a robust partnership. The two parties triumphantly contested Lok Sabha elections in 1998, 1999, and 2004, as well as assembly elections in 2000 and 2004.
Once hailed as the BJP”s trusted ally in the NDA, the alliance disintegrated in 2009 following failed seat-sharing negotiations. The breakdown was officially attributed to the BJD”s demand for a reduction in the BJP”s share of assembly seats from 63 to around 40, and parliamentary seats from nine to six. This demand, considered unreasonable by BJP leaders, prompted the withdrawal of support to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik”s government, marking the demise of an 11-year political partnership. The withdrawal of support was labelled by the BJD as an “act of betrayal”.
