Bhubaneswar: It has been 40 days since the results of the 2024 general elections were announced. The BJP has formed governments both at the center and in the state. After 24 years of continuous governance in Odisha under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership, the BJD now finds itself in the opposition. For a party that has always been in power since its inception, sitting in the opposition is a bitter pill to swallow. This marks the first experience of sitting in the opposition for the BJD.
Naveen Patnaik, the party supremo, commands unwavering loyalty, and no one dares to speak against him. Even when Patnaik was the Chief Minister, BJD leaders feared IAS officer-turned-politician V.K. Pandian more. Despite the party’s defeat on June 4, few dared to voice their opinions. A week later, a review meeting with senior leaders was held at Naveen Niwas, but Pandian was absent. However, Pandian acknowledged the electoral defeat. BJD leaders, who enjoyed power for so long, are still struggling to come to terms with the loss even after almost a month and a half.
Self-Complacency in BJD Senior leader Devi Prasad Mishra attributed the BJD’s defeat to self-complacency. Long periods in power made everyone complacent and lazy, which was reflected in the results. Former MLA Nrusingha Charan Sahu added that in many areas, BJD workers worked against their own candidates. Instead of supporting, they aimed to defeat them, while BJP workers remained loyal to their candidates, which was a significant factor.
Moles Will Be Exposed: Sambit Former MLA Sambit Routray, reflecting on the defeat, stated that Naveen Patnaik didn’t lose the election; he was betrayed. He suggested that moles within the party ensured Patnaik’s defeat. Routray warned that these moles, who he likened to rats inside a drum, would eventually be exposed. He emphasized the need for vigilance against internal betrayal to protect the party’s wealth and assets.
Prabhat Biswal’s Comments Former MLA and senior leader Prabhat Biswal also spoke out about the defeat. He attributed the loss to a lack of understanding and acknowledged the impact of anti-incumbency. Biswal mentioned that he had warned Patnaik about these issues before the election. Addressing BJD workers at an event in Mahanadi Vihar, Cuttack, Biswal highlighted these factors.
BJD’s Significant Defeat Reports indicate that the BJD suffered a substantial defeat in the 2024 general elections. The fall of the BJD fortress led to discontent echoing directly in Shankha Bhavan. Anti-Pandian slogans were raised, reflecting the high level of dissatisfaction. At the BJD headquarters, youth and student workers protested against organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das in Pandian’s presence. Additionally, there were strong slogans against Rajya Sabha MPs Manas Mangaraj and Sasmit Patra.