By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
For the past few weeks, the internal crisis of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been deepening. Earlier, The Politics Odia had analysed that the BJD might be heading towards a split. One faction may remain with Naveen Patnaik and VK Pandian, surrounded by a group of loyal leaders, while another faction could emerge as the BJD Democratic Forum, consisting of leaders who are dissatisfied with the current direction of the party.
The root of the discontent lies in an alleged internal understanding between the BJD leadership and the BJP, which, according to many leaders, is aimed at securing Naveen and Pandian from possible investigations into corruption during their years in power. This silent understanding is not sitting well with many senior leaders, who feel alienated from the party’s original values.
Amar Satpathy’s Sharp Words
Senior leader Amar Satpathy has openly criticised the present situation in the BJD. In his words, “It is the workers who will build the new BJD. The present BJD is moving away from the people and the workers.”
He further added that if the party does not function on clear policies and ideology, more leaders and workers will drift away. His statement strongly indicates the possibility of a new formation of the BJD, shaped by grassroots leaders and ordinary workers.
The Question of Leadership
Speculation is now growing over who could become the “Eknath Shinde” of BJD. When asked, Amar Satpathy responded, “Right now, the one who is growing silently might step forward at the right time. Who can say whether he is still in Gopa or has already reached Mathura?”
Interestingly, this comes a day after former MP Tathagata Satpathy hinted at a similar possibility. Amar Satpathy’s comments today give further strength to that speculation, signalling that a new chapter in Odisha’s politics could be unfolding soon.
Towards a New BJD?
The underlying message is clear: a New BJD may soon emerge, created by the very people and workers who once built the party. The distance between the leadership and the grassroots has widened, and unless the party redefines itself on strong ideological lines, its crisis will only deepen.
The coming months may reveal whether BJD continues under its present leadership or splits into a new formation that claims to represent its original spirit.
