The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Unexpectedly, Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year rule in Odisha is nearing its end, as the BJP sweeps both the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state. The BJP won 45 seats in the 147-member assembly and was leading in 33 more, heading for a clear majority. In contrast, the BJD had secured 35 seats and was leading in 15, with Patnaik himself trailing in Kantabanji, one of the two seats he contested.
The Congress showed an improved performance, winning eight seats and leading in seven others as counting approached the final stages. However, the BJD was almost wiped out in the Lok Sabha, leading only in Jajpur, a stronghold since 1999. The Congress seemed likely to retain Koraput, while the BJP led in all other 19 Lok Sabha seats. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had won Sambalpur, awaiting only an official announcement.
The BJP’s unexpected sweep was largely credited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aggressive campaigning. He targeted Naveen Patnaik and his key aide, bureaucrat-turned-politician V.K. Pandian, often making personal attacks that forced responses from Patnaik. Pandian also defended Patnaik, attacking Modi and his party.
Initially, there were attempts to revive the BJP-BJD alliance that had collapsed in 2009 after serving both parties well for nearly 11 years. However, efforts failed due to resistance from party cadres, which eventually harmed the BJD more. The BJP capitalized on Patnaik’s perceived weaknesses, including his poor knowledge of Odia and his dependence on Pandian, dubbed the ‘super-chief minister’. Modi’s campaign also highlighted Patnaik’s failing health, promising to form a committee to investigate if the BJP came to power.
The campaign against Patnaik’s governance, combined with his overconfidence and over-reliance on Pandian, led to his downfall. Patnaik’s focus on turning himself into a brand, rather than emphasizing his father’s legacy, Biju Patnaik, also backfired. His welfare schemes, which provided free rice, pensions, and money for expecting mothers, were insufficient to secure victory.
As the stage is set for a regime change in Odisha, Patnaik’s dream of winning a sixth straight term and becoming the longest-serving chief minister is unfulfilled. This election highlights the importance of not underestimating rivals and the dangers of appearing weak due to overdependence on a single aide.
