June 7th 2024.
The Biju Janata Dal, a political party in Odisha, is currently facing a major upheaval for the first time in its 27-year history. This comes after their unexpected defeat in the recent Assembly elections. The party's leader, Naveen Patnaik, also faced a personal defeat in his own constituency, causing a dent in his popularity. This was a shocking turn of events for the 77-year-old who had never tasted defeat since he entered politics in 1997.
Naveen Patnaik, who was a writer before joining politics, established the Biju Janata Dal in 1997 after separating from the Janata Dal. The party, along with its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, formed the government in Odisha after winning the 2000 and 2004 Assembly elections. Despite breaking ties with the BJP, Patnaik continued to see success in future elections due to his simple and honest image, as well as his pro-poor policies.
Patnaik's dominance in Odisha politics seemed unshakable, with the BJD's vote share and seat tally constantly increasing in the 2014 and 2019 elections. Meanwhile, the main opposition parties, BJP and Indian National Congress, were struggling with internal leadership conflicts. However, in the recent election, the BJP was able to break the BJD's stronghold and take over power after 24 years of Patnaik's rule.
The BJP ran an aggressive campaign, highlighting the threat to Odia culture, language, and literature under the leadership of a Tamil Nadu-born politician. They also targeted Patnaik's alleged poor health, forcing him to repeatedly clarify his condition. According to political observers, this is a significant moment for the regional party and Patnaik's political career.
All eyes are now on Patnaik as he faces the daunting task of revitalizing the party and bringing together its workers and leaders. Experts believe that he must also develop a strong second line of leadership within the party for the future. It is believed that the lack of a strong backup plan for leadership was one of the factors contributing to the party's defeat in this election.
There is also speculation about the political future of bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian, who was seen as Patnaik's successor. Pandian played a crucial role in candidate selection, campaigning, and election management for the BJD. However, after the election results were declared, he immediately left for the capital and has yet to face the media.
Following the defeat, Patnaik held two meetings with both the winning and losing candidates, but Pandian was notably absent. This has raised questions about who will take over as Patnaik's trusted aide. In the past, Patnaik has given full control to individuals like Pyarimohan Mohapatra and VK Pandian, who have helped him run the government and the party.
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