In order to address the rumblings inside the BJD about the Waqf dispute, Patnaik calls on the party’s rank and file to vigorously “expose” the BJP’s “false narrative,” particularly on social media.
Despite internal discontent within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over issues like its recent indecision on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remains the party’s unchallenged leader. On Saturday, the 78-year-old was re-elected unopposed as BJD president for his ninth consecutive term during a state council meeting.
Patnaik has led the BJD since its inception on December 26, 1997. His re-election, though expected, drew attention for his address to party leaders following the BJD’s significant losses in the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, ending its 24-year rule in Odisha. “No one should underestimate the BJD’s organizational strength. Our workers’ spirit is our greatest asset, and our ideals and policies are our foundation. We will continue serving Odisha’s people, in or out of power,” Patnaik declared.
Reflecting on the Assembly election loss, Patnaik noted that the BJD secured 40.22% of the popular vote, winning 51 seats in the 147-member Assembly, compared to the BJP’s 40.07% and 78 seats. He attributed the defeat to the BJD’s failure to counter the BJP’s “false narrative” effectively, urging party members to be more proactive, especially on social media.
Patnaik addressed the controversy surrounding the BJD’s last-minute decision to allow its Rajya Sabha MPs to vote freely on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, after months of opposing it. The move sparked criticism from both younger and senior party leaders. Senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray, who had previously questioned the party’s stance, reaffirmed his loyalty, stating, “Naveen babu is the BJD’s sole leader, with no second-in-command.” His remark appeared to target V K Pandian, a bureaucrat-turned-politician accused by some BJD members of exerting undue influence. Samantaray even claimed Pandian advised Patnaik on the Waqf voting shift. Patnaik, however, has denied Pandian’s control, noting that the former official has retired from politics.
Several party veterans, including Shashi Bhusan Behera, Bhupinder Singh, and Prafulla Mallik, who had met to discuss “outsider forces” weakening the BJD, were absent from the meeting. They told The Indian Express they were not invited. Some Rajya Sabha members, including floor leader Sasmit Patra, who supported the Waqf Act, also skipped the event.
Patnaik outlined a new strategy, emphasizing the BJD’s commitment to “Odisha’s rights” and its “Swabhiman” (self-esteem). This stance appears to counter the BJP’s 2024 election narrative of “Odia Asmita” (Odia pride), which capitalized on Pandian’s Tamil Nadu origins. Senior BJD leader Arun Kumar Sahoo said the party would fight the “Centre’s injustice” toward Odisha. Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal responded, asserting that the BJP’s critiques of the BJD were grounded in “realities.”
