Naveen Patnaik's BJD set to join hands with BJP after 15 years for Lok Sabha and state elections. What we know so far

In Odisha, leaders of BJP and Naveen Patnaik's BJD have given subtle indications of a potential alliance between the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), although no official announcement has been made. Leaders from both parties have suggested the possibility of a mutual understanding ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections, which are anticipated to occur concurrently. Press Trust of India, citing sources, said that if an alliance materializes, the BJP is likely to contest the majority of Lok Sabha seats in the state, while the BJD would focus on the majority of assembly seats.

Though BJD had snapped ties with BJP in 2009, BJP has generally supported the Modi government's legislative agenda in Parliament. And recently, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have publicly lauded each other, indicating a cordial relationship between their respective parties.

On Wednesday, key figures from the BJD convened for a prolonged meeting at Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while BJP leaders held a similar session in the national capital to deliberate on electoral strategies, including the prospect of an alliance. Following these discussions, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra acknowledged the talks regarding a possible collaboration with the BJP but refrained from confirming its formation outright.


BJD's senior general secretary Arun Kumar Sahoo affirmed that extensive deliberations were held under Patnaik's guidance concerning the electoral approach for the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.

Similarly, after a meeting chaired by BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi, senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament Jual Oram acknowledged discussions about a pre-election alliance with the BJD. However, he clarified that the final decision rests with the party's central leadership.

Prominent figures from the state, including Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, participated in the core committee meeting presided over by Nadda.

Odisha Elections - How parties fared in 2019 polls

Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured the highest number of seats, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. The BJD won 12 seats, while the BJP claimed 8 seats, and the Congress managed to secure only one. Odisha has 147 Assembly constituencies. During the 2019 elections, the BJD overwhelmingly dominated the state by capturing 113 seats. In contrast, the BJP secured 23 seats, the Congress attained 9, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) secured 1, and an Independent candidate clinched another seat.

Srikant Jena returns to Congress

In a noteworthy development, former Union minister Srikant Jena rejoined the Congress party, expressing confidence that the "INDIA bloc" would thwart the perceived "unholy alliance" between the BJP and the BJD in Odisha. Jena's return to the Congress fold follows his expulsion from the party in 2019 due to alleged anti-party activities.