Odisha Politics / Naveen’s Political Shift 29 Years – Will It Help Him Or Deal A Blow?
·3 weeks ago·3 min read
Key Points
- Naveen Patnaik appeared with Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das during Rajya Sabha nominations.
- A consensus candidate was supported jointly by BJD, Congress, and CPI(M).
- The BJD historically opposed Congress but now hints at cooperation.
- Political observers speculate on anti-BJP alignment in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar, Mar 6: In a development that has generated considerable buzz in Odisha’s political circles, Naveen Patnaik on Thursday appeared alongside Bhakta Charan Das during the filing of nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
The moment, widely viewed as politically symbolic, unfolded when Santrupta Mishra and Datteswar Hota filed their nomination papers in Bhubaneswar. While Mishra is the official nominee of the Biju Janata Dal, Hota has emerged as a consensus candidate supported jointly by the BJD, the Indian National Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The visual of Patnaik and Das sharing the stage has drawn attention because the BJD historically positioned itself in opposition to the Congress in Odisha’s political landscape.
The BJD itself came into existence in 1997 amid intense political churn during Congress rule in the state. That period witnessed strong criticism of the government over issues related to law and order and governance. Several high-profile incidents had shaken public confidence, including the killings of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and Catholic priest Father Arul Doss, the widely discussed Anjana Mishra gang rape case, and the criticism surrounding the administration’s response to the devastating 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone.
At that time, Patnaik — then serving as Union Steel Minister in the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee — had strongly criticised the Congress government over its handling of these crises. Riding on public discontent and the legacy of his father, legendary leader Biju Patnaik, Naveen Patnaik toured extensively across the state. The political momentum eventually helped the BJD secure a decisive victory in the 2000 Odisha Assembly elections in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
However, the political equation changed in 2009 when Patnaik severed ties with the BJP, describing the party as “communal.” In the years that followed, the BJD repeatedly maintained that it followed an “equidistant” approach towards both the Congress and the BJP, although it occasionally extended issue-based support to governments led by either party at the Centre.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Patnaik appeared open to cooperation with the Congress when asked whether the development reflected his long-standing commitment to secular politics. Responding in the affirmative, he made a brief but intriguing remark about the future of such cooperation.
“Time always says future history,” he said, leaving political observers to speculate about the possible direction of future alliances.
Bhakta Charan Das also hinted at a broader political understanding between the two parties.
“Our principles and ideology are identical. We have always practised secularism. In politics, time is a major factor. As situations evolve, new equations emerge, and we will continue our fight against the BJP,” he said.
The interaction between the BJD and Congress leaders has sparked discussions about the possibility of a tactical realignment in Odisha’s politics as parties reassess strategies in the run-up to future electoral battles.
The moment, widely viewed as politically symbolic, unfolded when Santrupta Mishra and Datteswar Hota filed their nomination papers in Bhubaneswar. While Mishra is the official nominee of the Biju Janata Dal, Hota has emerged as a consensus candidate supported jointly by the BJD, the Indian National Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
The visual of Patnaik and Das sharing the stage has drawn attention because the BJD historically positioned itself in opposition to the Congress in Odisha’s political landscape.
The BJD itself came into existence in 1997 amid intense political churn during Congress rule in the state. That period witnessed strong criticism of the government over issues related to law and order and governance. Several high-profile incidents had shaken public confidence, including the killings of Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and Catholic priest Father Arul Doss, the widely discussed Anjana Mishra gang rape case, and the criticism surrounding the administration’s response to the devastating 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone.
At that time, Patnaik — then serving as Union Steel Minister in the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee — had strongly criticised the Congress government over its handling of these crises. Riding on public discontent and the legacy of his father, legendary leader Biju Patnaik, Naveen Patnaik toured extensively across the state. The political momentum eventually helped the BJD secure a decisive victory in the 2000 Odisha Assembly elections in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
However, the political equation changed in 2009 when Patnaik severed ties with the BJP, describing the party as “communal.” In the years that followed, the BJD repeatedly maintained that it followed an “equidistant” approach towards both the Congress and the BJP, although it occasionally extended issue-based support to governments led by either party at the Centre.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Patnaik appeared open to cooperation with the Congress when asked whether the development reflected his long-standing commitment to secular politics. Responding in the affirmative, he made a brief but intriguing remark about the future of such cooperation.
“Time always says future history,” he said, leaving political observers to speculate about the possible direction of future alliances.
Bhakta Charan Das also hinted at a broader political understanding between the two parties.
“Our principles and ideology are identical. We have always practised secularism. In politics, time is a major factor. As situations evolve, new equations emerge, and we will continue our fight against the BJP,” he said.
The interaction between the BJD and Congress leaders has sparked discussions about the possibility of a tactical realignment in Odisha’s politics as parties reassess strategies in the run-up to future electoral battles.
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