BJD’s troubles deepen as local leaders switch allegiance to BJP in Odisha!

Following the electoral debacle in the 2024 general elections in Odisha, the troubles of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) appear to be deepening further with several grassroots leaders and especially public representatives at the panchayat level reportedly switching allegiance to the ruling BJP.

Following this development, the party is now fearing that it may face no-confidence motions in many quarters of the state. The party is now desperately trying to maintain the unity of its grassroots leaders.

According to reports, former BJD MLA Sambit Routray and party chief Bapi Sarkhel are trying to maintain the unity of 20 Samiti members, eight Sarpanchs and four Zilla Parishad members in Paradip and Jagatsinghpur.

According to sources, these local leaders were taken to Puri and after having darshan of Lord Jagannath, they were made to take an oath to continue supporting the Kujang bloc, President Ninarani Sahu. Moreover, party chief Naveen Patnaik also met the party leaders at the panchayat level to urge them to remain united.

“We have no fear of a no-confidence motion. Our leaders have opted for Jagannath darshan,” BJD leader Sambit Routray said.

“The BJP does not have the strength to succeed in its no-confidence motion. There is nothing wrong in taking the blessings of Lord Jagannath. We will do a lot of good works for the people in the days to come and discussions have been held on this,” BJP leader Bapi Sarkhel said.

On the other hand, BJP leaders feel that no strategy of the BJD will be fruitful in maintaining the unity of their grassroots leaders.

“Local BJP leaders believe that their voice will be heard in the BJP and they will be able to provide more services to the people here. Earlier, they did not have so much leeway in the BJP,” said BJP leader Amarendra Das.

There is discontent even among the rank and file BJD leaders in Naveen Patnaik’s constituency of Hinjili.

Nine of the 14 councillors and the vice-chairman of the Purushottampur municipal council have moved a no-confidence motion against the BJP-backed chairman before the Ganjam collector. Many panchayat leaders from the area have joined the BJP in Bhubaneswar. The situation is similar in Khallikote.

“Many Sarpanchs, Samiti members and local leaders supported by BJD have joined BJP and many more are waiting to join BJP. This will affect Hinjili constituency in a big way,” said Gothagam Sarpanch Krushnachandra Suanasia.

However, in response, the BJD expressed confidence that the current situation will not have any impact on the party.

“Those who are leaving the party are doing so for selfish reasons as the BJP is currently in power. They will return to the BJD,” said Ganjam district president Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik.