Former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik’s problem appears to be not how to take on BJP in Odisha, but how to oppose it without helping Congress recover its lost ground.
Mr. Patnaik’s dilemma was evident this week when he backed the release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Asutosh Ranka, the BJP was quick to brand him an ally of ‘anarchists’ allegedly seeking to create a Bangladesh-like situation in the country. The charge, increasingly directed at the Congress and Left parties in recent times, has brought the BJD into the crossfire.
The BJD responded by deploying one of its senior vice-presidents to counter the allegations. This was not the first time the regional party had found itself defending its political position. When two of its Rajya Sabha MPs joined an anti-Chief Election Commissioner protest march in New Delhi earlier this month, the BJP wasted no time in accusing the BJD of seeking a political alliance with the INDIA bloc. The BJD was subsequently forced to issue clarifications through multiple leaders, insisting that it had no alliance with the INDIA bloc but was merely supporting the cause.
The dilemma resurfaced on October 7, 2026, when the BJD clarified that it neither supported nor opposed the Odisha bandh called by INDIA bloc parties, maintaining that it had taken an independent and principled position.
These episodes point to a growing challenge for the BJD; carving out an independent political position in Odisha without being drawn into the BJP-Congress political binary.
Such positioning was relatively easier when the Naveen Patnaik-led party was in power and could align itself with issues under the broader umbrella of regional interests. As an opposition party, however, it faces the challenge of opposing the BJP without appearing to gravitate towards the Congress.
At present, the BJD has grown to be strong anti-BJP force in Odisha while Congress has emerged principal opposition to BJP nationally.
“The dilemma of the BJD is bound to persist. If the party does not criticise the BJP, it cannot position itself as a strong opposition in Odisha. If it lends support to Congress-led protests against the BJP, it runs the risk of eroding its anti-Congress base, which was a key premise of its formation,” said Prasanna Mohanty, senior journalist and political commentator.
Mr. Mohanty further said BJD escaped close scrutiny of its political standing even though it extended support to BJP on the floor of Parliament on key bills and elections.
After finding in opposition space, the BJD has been very active as far as picking up issues to target State BJP is concerned. The party has, in fact, dented the reputation of Mohan Charan Majhi Government by constantly raising issues such as errors in school textbooks, Odisha’s financial interest in wake of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2026 and general law and order situation in the State.
The regional party had taken precautions during last monsoon session of Odisha Legislative Assembly session by raising MMDR Act, leaving textbook error issue to Congress. Both parties were not seen following the same issue on same day during the session.
Ruben Banerjee, author of ‘Naveen Patnaik’, a biography of five time CM, and longtime observer of Odisha politics, said, “Mr Patnaik has many political compulsions. He is part of extended BJP. That understanding with BJP exists which was proven by very recently during BJD’s voting during Waqf Board Bill. And also the very fact that there is no CBI and Enforcement Directorate raids against any BJD leaders. There is a protection ring at works.”
“With in that limitations, BJD supremo is trying to have his own identity. Now when there is an anti-BJP sentiment growing in the country, he is trying to throw his weight behind GenZ. The former CM is maneuvering within small sphere. But he cannot be very anti-BJP. Then the protection ring goes away,” Mr. Banerjee pointed out.
Mr. Patnaik from now will criticize BJP to be on right side of sentiments, but it comes some limitations. Some political observers were of the view that unlike other States like Maharashtra and West Bengal where opposition parties had to pay heavy price for being critical to BJP, the BJD was left undisturbed. “Because it is interest of BJP that BJD exists and keeps occupying space of opposition, otherwise Congress will revive in Odisha,” they said.
Anti-Congressism was a central feature of late Biju Patnaik’s politics during his later years. However, the younger generation may not share the same political connect or historical baggage. The question, therefore, is whether Naveen Patnaik can afford to be exclusively anti-BJP or anti-Congress, and how far he can sustain an independent political position. Given the current political landscape, he will inevitably have to criticise the BJP from time to time. Yet, the BJD’s stated position of maintaining equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
Published – October 22, 2026 12:55 pm IST
