The BJP-BJD alliance collapsed in 2009 following failed seat-sharing talks.

New Delhi:

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has hinted at a possible alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forward of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. On Wednesday, leaders of the BJD convened for an intensive session at Naveen Niwas, the official residence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Simultaneously, counterparts from the BJP, together with its state unit chief Manmohan Samal, gathered within the nationwide capital for a parallel assembly, partaking in discussions associated to electoral affairs, with a specific give attention to the potential of forging an alliance.

A possible pact between the 2 events marks a big shift within the political dynamics of the state, particularly contemplating the BJD’s departure from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 15 years in the past, which had prompted former BJP chief and minister Sushma Swaraj to say that Naveen Patnaik would “regret” snapping ties after an 11-year understanding. 

While no formal announcement has been made, BJD vp and MLA Debi Prasad Mishra confirmed the discussions however stopped in need of confirming the formation of an alliance. “Biju Janata Dal will prioritise the greater interests of the people of Odisha. Yes, there were discussions on the issue (alliance),” Mr Mishra advised reporters after the assembly at Naveen Niwas.

A press launch issued by the BJD said, “An extensive discussion was held under the leadership of BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with the senior leaders of the party today regarding the strategy of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.”

“It was resolved that since by 2036, Odisha will complete 100 years of its statehood, and BJD and Chief Minister Patnaik have major milestones to be achieved by this time, therefore Biju Janata Dal will do everything towards this in the greater interests of people of Odisha,” the assertion added.

On the BJP aspect, senior chief and MP Jual Oram, after the assembly presided over by BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi, confirmed discussions on a pre-poll alliance with the BJD. However, he added that the ultimate choice rests with the celebration’s central management. “Yes, there were discussions on the alliance among other issues. The party’s central leadership will make the final call,” Mr Oram said.

The Numbers 

The strategic significance of Odisha, with its 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 meeting seats, is just not misplaced on both celebration. In the 2019 elections, BJD and BJP secured 12 and eight parliamentary constituencies and 112 and 23 meeting constituencies, respectively. According to sources, within the occasion of an alliance, the BJP would contest nearly all of Lok Sabha seats, whereas the BJD would give attention to meeting seats.

The rising hypothesis concerning the alliance gained credence from the current public praises exchanged between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Patnaik. Both leaders acknowledged one another’s contributions, with the BJD demonstrating assist for the Modi authorities’s agenda in Parliament.

For the Assembly elections, the BJD is pushing for a bigger share of seats, proposing to contest 105 out of the 147 obtainable seats, leaving the BJP with 42 seats. Simultaneously, within the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is anticipated to safe a good portion of the seats. Of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, the BJP is more likely to contest 13-14.

What Happened In 2009 

The BJD-BJP alliance noticed success in two meeting elections and three Lok Sabha polls in Odisha. The partnership, solid in February 1998, loved a robust basis, with each events efficiently contesting Lok Sabha elections in 1998, 1999, and 2004, in addition to meeting elections in 2000 and 2004.

Once thought-about the BJP’s most dependable ally within the NDA, the alliance collapsed in 2009 following failed seat-sharing talks. The breakdown was formally attributed to the BJD’s demand for a discount within the BJP’s share of meeting seats from 63 to round 40, and parliamentary seats from 9 to 6. This demand, deemed unreasonable by the BJP leaders, led to the withdrawal of assist to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s authorities, marking the top of an 11-year political marriage. 

The withdrawal of assist was termed by BJD as an “act of betrayal”.

The BJD-BJP pact was shaped in 1998, orchestrated by senior leaders Bijay Mohapatra and the late Pramod Mahajan.