How the Patnaiks, despite being 2% of Odisha's population, ruled the state for 45 years, and maybe beyond

As Odisha undergoes voting for the assembly polls, Naveen Patnaik, the current Chief Minister is hoping to sit on the CM sit again for the sixth time. In all of Odisha's political and economic landscape, the 'Patnaiks' have been the dominant force since India's independence.

Just three individuals from two Patnaik families - Janaki Ballav (JB), Biju and the latter's son Naveen - have governed the state as chief ministers for 45 years of the 77 since Independence. While three have ruled Odisha for 47 years, 11 others have governed this state in the eastern belt for the remaining 32 years.

Patnaiks, the political caste of Odisha:
Patnaiks, with variations in spelling, belong to the 'Karan' caste. Another prominent surname from the community is Mohanty. The Karan caste, however, comprise around 2% of the state's population. Such is their prominence in Odisha's politics that many refer to them as "political caste".


Naveen, seeking a sixth term in office, has been sitting on the CM sit since March 2000. If elected again, he will become the country's longest serving CM in August, going past Sikkim ex-CM Pawan Chamling. His father, Biju, was Odisha CM from 1961 to 1963 and 1990 to 1995. JB governed the state for 14 years, from 1980 to 1989, and again from 1995 to 1999.

With no children of own and a bachelor at 77 years, Naveen, earlier claimed that no member of his family would enter politics. It has, however, been a subject of speculation that either his nephew Arun Patnaik or his niece Gayatri, kids of his elder brother Prem, may take over. The rumours have been coming to an end as recently, Naveen's aide, V K Pandian, emerged as BJD's second-in-command.

"Karans and Brahmins together comprise less than 10% of the population but continue to dominate Odisha's politics and business," said R K Satapathy, a retired political science professor.

Shukadeb Naik, a former sociology professor, said unlike many other states, caste has never been much of a factor in among voters in Odisha. However, the leadership position has been largely occupied by the forward castes. "Giridhar and Hemanand may be called exceptions as they were made CMs for a few months each as a token gesture by the Congress high command," he said. The state has around 22.8% tribals and 17% Scheduled Castes and an estimated over 50% OBCs.

Patnaiks dominate leadership positions in the opposition rank and files as well. Congress state unit president Sarat Pattanayak and its election coordination committee chief Bijay Patnaik, a former chief secretary, are from the Karan caste though from different clans.

Does caste play a role in politics?
Another Karan, Nabakrushna Chaudhary (1950-1952 and 1952 to 1956) was CM for six years. Other CMs include largely Brahmins, some Rajputs, barring Nilamani Routray (OBC, 1977-1980), and two tribals Hemananda Biswal and Giridhar Gamang. The total tenure of Hemananda (Dec 1989-March 1990, Dec 1999-March 2000) and Giridhar (Feb 1999 to Dec 1999) as CM was 14 months.

Members of Congress strongman JB's clan are also fighting polls. JB's son, Pruthvi Ballav (47), is seeking to make his political debut from Begunia on a Congress ticket. JB's son-in-law, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, has entered the fray from Ghasipura assembly seat as an Independent. Soumya, a media baron, was elected BJD MLA in 2019. His elder brother Niranjan Patnaik, a former Odisha Congress chief, has been contesting from the Bhandaripokhari assembly seat.

Dipti Ranjan Patnaik, the elder brother of Niranjan and Soumya, leads a business empire with interests ranging from mining to seafood. The Karan caste's influence can be seen across various sectors - real estate, education, media, seafood and mining in this mineral-rich state. The SN Mohanty Group, another business house owned by the Karans, donated around Rs 45 crore in electoral bonds to BJD.

Though the current state BJP chief Manmohan Samal and party's prominent Odisha face Dharmendra Pradhan belong to OBCs, Samir Mohanty, who was earlier the state BJP chief, is a Karan. Two notable figures in BJP, Aparajita Sarangi and Baijayant Panda, are Brahmins.

(with ToI inputs)