Why the BJD has failed to defend democracy and resist Hindutva in Odisha

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*   

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been a dominant regional party in Odisha, governing the state continuously for twenty-four years. During this period, it faced no significant political opposition capable of challenging its authority. In 2024, however, the party lost both the national and state elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), enabling the rise of a BJP-led government in Odisha. The BJD’s long-standing strategy of political equidistance, combined with its cooperation with the BJP at the Centre, contributed to the creation of an opposition-free political environment in the state.  

For much of this period, the BJP did not function as an effective opposition in Odisha, instead working in tandem with the BJD while receiving its support at the national level. Following the BJP’s victory in 2024, the BJD has refrained from mounting a meaningful opposition, allowing the BJP to consolidate power without accountability. This dynamic has weakened democratic checks and balances in the state.  

The BJD’s electoral decline has been evident in subsequent contests. In the Nuapada by-election of November 2025, the party lost by a margin of over 83,000 votes and was relegated to third place. This outcome highlighted the erosion of its mass base and the perception among voters that the party has failed to act as a credible opposition to the BJP.  

The tacit understanding between the two parties has undermined democratic practices in Odisha. The absence of a strong opposition has weakened political pluralism and reduced space for alternative voices. The BJD’s reliance on bureaucratic leadership, coupled with its lack of ideological clarity, has further constrained its ability to renew itself as a political force.  

While the BJD once commanded significant influence, its leadership structure and political strategy now appear fragile. The party’s decline is seen as a necessary condition for the emergence of alternative political movements capable of resisting Hindutva and revitalising democratic processes in the state. Without such alternatives, Odisha risks continued erosion of democratic accountability.  

Ideologically, the BJD has failed to articulate a coherent position that represents the interests of working people. Its alignment with the BJP at the Centre has compromised its independence. Although Naveen Patnaik is regarded as personally secular, the party’s political choices have not consistently reflected secular principles. The BJD’s reliance on the legacy of Biju Patnaik has also weakened over time, as twenty-four years of uninterrupted governance have not delivered on the promises associated with that vision.  

The decline of the BJD coincides with a broader crisis in Odisha’s democratic institutions. However, this crisis also presents opportunities for progressive forces to consolidate and articulate alternatives. Hindutva politics, promoted by the BJP, is rooted in cultural nationalism and aligned with crony capitalist interests. It stands in opposition to Odisha’s pluralistic traditions and inclusive nationalism.  

For democracy to be strengthened in Odisha, Hindutva must be resisted and new political movements must emerge. These movements should be grounded in secularism, social justice, and resource redistribution, consistent with constitutional values and Odisha’s cultural traditions. Such alternatives would enable citizens to determine the state’s economic and political direction, rather than leaving these decisions to entrenched power structures.  

(This article draws on insights from discussions with SPP bhai.)  

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*Academic based in UK