In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Odisha, reports of a potential alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have surfaced, setting the stage for a significant political development in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
The buzz surrounding the possible alliance gained momentum after BJP leaders held a crucial meeting in Delhi, while BJD leaders convened at Navin Niwas in Bhubaneshwar. According to sources, the discussions revolved around a strategic collaboration for the upcoming elections.
Odisha TV reported that BJP leaders from the state traveled to Delhi for "an important meeting with the top brass of the party leaders." News 18 also cited sources indicating that an alliance between the BJP and the BJD is indeed plausible.
Earlier in the day, several leaders from the BJD and Congress reportedly joined the BJP, a move that further fueled speculation about a potential realignment of political forces in Odisha.
The speculation surrounding the BJP-BJD alliance gained traction following PM Modi's visit to the state, where he launched multiple development projects exceeding ₹19,600 crore in Odisha's Jajpur district. Interestingly, the Prime Minister, in his address, directed criticism at the Congress and the INDIA bloc but notably remained silent on the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government.
During the visit, PM Modi paid tribute to the late Biju Patnaik, Naveen Patnaik's father, acknowledging his remarkable contributions to the nation and Odisha. In turn, Naveen Patnaik praised PM Modi for his efforts to elevate India to an "economic powerhouse," emphasizing the various projects launched in Odisha.
While these developments indicate a possible shift in political dynamics, former Union minister Srikant Jena, who recently returned to the Congress, expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc would defeat what he termed the "BJP-BJD's unholy alliance" in Odisha.
As speculations continue to swirl, the political landscape in Odisha appears poised for significant changes, with the potential alliance between the BJP and the BJD taking center stage in the run-up to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.