By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing one of the most serious internal crises in recent memory. The controversy began after senior leader Pratap Jena used abusive language against veteran leader Prafulla Mallik in front of the media, causing widespread outrage. Following this incident, Jena was suspended from the party, but the matter did not end there.
Instead of settling down, the suspension triggered a wave of rebellion within BJD. Senior leaders have now openly demanded that Naveen Patnaik, who has been the party president and Odisha’s Chief Minister for the last 25 years, must personally apologise to Prafulla Mallik. If he fails to do so, these leaders are hinting that even Naveen himself may face the threat of being forced out of the party he has led for decades.
The situation has exposed deep factional infighting in the BJD. Recently, Padmanav Behera came out strongly in support of Prafulla Mallik and expressed his disapproval of the suspension. His resignation letter reflected deep dissatisfaction and signalled that even Naveen’s most trusted colleagues are no longer willing to blindly follow orders.
This growing discontent has resulted in a series of resignations and suspensions. Leaders once considered loyal to Naveen Patnaik are now turning their backs on him, accusing the leadership of drifting away from the party’s original principles and values.
The most striking part of this unfolding drama is that those who were once branded as Naveen’s most faithful soldiers are now being labelled as traitors and anti-party leaders. By not hesitating to suspend or expel them, Naveen may have unknowingly weakened his own leadership position inside the BJD.
As the crisis deepens, serious questions are being raised about Naveen Patnaik’s leadership style, his control over the party, and the future of BJD itself. For the first time in 25 years, the possibility of Naveen facing expulsion from his own party is being discussed openly by BJD veterans.
What comes next could very well decide the fate of both Naveen Patnaik and the Biju Janata Dal.
