The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Odisha’s long-standing regional powerhouse, finds itself in the throes of an escalating internal crisis as factionalism and leadership disputes threaten to unravel the party’s unity.
Recent developments, including the controversial handling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Rajya Sabha and a lack of clarity from party supremo Naveen Patnaik, have fueled discontent among senior leaders and rank-and-file members alike.
The unrest began when the BJD refrained from issuing a whip during the Rajya Sabha vote on the Waqf Bill, allowing its MPs to vote according to their conscience—a stark departure from its initial stance of opposing the legislation. This decision led to a split within the party, with MPs like Debasish Samantaray openly criticizing VK Pandian, Patnaik’s close aide, for allegedly orchestrating the shift. Samantaray has held Pandian responsible for the party’s dismal performance in the 2024 elections and its current disarray. In response, Pandian loyalists, including four MPs and Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh, have hit back, defending his legacy and arguing that he has been absent from politics for 10 months.
Amid this war of words, the party leadership has issued an unofficial directive—or “whip”—barring members from speaking to the media or mentioning Pandian’s name in party matters. Senior leaders like Arun Sahu, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, and Sanjay Dasburma have toed the line, focusing instead on the ongoing organizational elections at Shankha Bhawan. They insist the party remains united under Patnaik’s stewardship, dismissing the discord as minor turbulence. Yet, their reluctance to address the rift head-on has only deepened suspicions of a cover-up.
The BJD’s troubles trace back to its crushing defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections, ending its 24-year reign in Odisha. Ten months later, Patnaik has yet to commission a formal review of the loss, despite earlier promises. The Waqf Bill episode has now pushed the party to a tipping point, with senior figures like Prasanna Acharya and AU Singhdeo meeting Patnaik at Naveen Niwas to demand answers. Meanwhile, the old guard—nicknamed the “Puruna Brigade”—has been accused of sidestepping the crisis, metaphorically “eating rice from an unknown source” while projecting an image of business as usual.
As the BJD prepares for its organizational elections, with Pratap Keshari Deb appointed as State Returning Officer, the leadership faces a critical test. Can Patnaik, a towering figure in Odisha politics, quell the dissent and restore cohesion, or will the fissures widen, jeopardizing the party’s future? For now, the BJD’s attempts to downplay the chaos have only amplified the spotlight on its internal struggles.
