Bhubaneswar, Dec 27: A lot of speculation is now rife in Odisha over the possible formation of a new regional party. The genesis of this speculation lies in the fact that the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which ruled the state uninterruptedly for over 24 years, is facing the toughest phase of its existence so far. After its defeat in the 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the party has been unable to present any semblance of revival.

The BJD’s existence has been pushed further into uncertainty following its humiliating defeat in the Nuapara Assembly bypoll, which was widely seen as a yardstick to measure the current popularity of the three major political players in the state—the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the BJD and the Congress. The BJD ended up in third place, sending a strong negative message to party workers and leaders. The erosion of the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party has accelerated in recent times, as its panchayat- and block-level people’s representatives find it difficult to function within the BJP-led state administrative machinery. Switching sides from the BJD to the BJP has become a regular phenomenon.

Speculation over the formation of a new regional outfit began after former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim was recently expelled from the party and met senior politician Bijoy Mohapatra. This was followed by his meetings with Congress leaders in Jajpur and a few other places.

History suggests that no regional political party other than the BJD has completed a full term in power in the state so far. The BJD, which came to power in Odisha in 2000 in alliance with the BJP, went on to rule the state for three full terms after snapping ties with its ally in 2009.

The history of regional political parties in Odisha is closely linked to the state’s socio-cultural and political evolution since its formation as a separate province in 1936. Over the decades, several regional parties have emerged in response to regional imbalances, leadership conflicts and the desire to assert Odia identity, shaping the state’s political discourse alongside national parties.

The earliest major regional party was the Ganatantra Parishad. It was first formed in 1948 as the Koshala Utkal Praja Parishad and renamed in 1950. Founded by former rulers R.N. Singh Deo of Bolangir-Patna and P.K. Deo of Kalahandi, it primarily represented Western Odisha—a region distinct from the coastal belt in terms of culture and economic development. For nearly a decade, the Ganatantra Parishad posed a strong challenge to the Indian National Congress, highlighting issues such as regional disparities and the rehabilitation of people displaced by the Hirakud Dam. It even shared power with the Congress in a coalition government between 1959 and 1961.

Another significant regional formation was the Jana Congress, founded in 1966 by Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab following factional splits within the Congress. The party aligned with other non-Congress forces, including the Swatantra Party, to form coalition governments. However, the Jana Congress and similar formations of the period failed to establish a lasting political base or a coherent regional ideology, often reflecting leadership rivalries rather than sustained regional aspirations.

From the late 1960s to the 1980s, several smaller regional parties such as the Utkal Congress (1969) and the Jagrat Congress (1985) emerged, reflecting persistent intra-regional tensions, especially between Western and Coastal Odisha. While these movements expressed regional consciousness rooted in linguistic, cultural and developmental differences, they remained fragmented and politically unstable.

A decisive shift occurred with the formation of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in 1997 by a group of Biju Patnaik followers led by Bijoy Mohapatra. Drawing inspiration from Biju Patnaik’s legacy, the BJD articulated Odia pride, regional development and political autonomy from national parties. Under the leadership of party president Naveen Patnaik, the BJD became the first enduring regional party in Odisha, providing stable governance and dominating state politics from 2000 onwards.

Now, it remains to be seen whether the speculated new regional party, once it is formed, will survive the test of time.