Odisha will see elections in 2024. The sudden turn of events, which lasted more than a fortnight, threatened to derail election preparations in both the ruling BJD and main opposition BJP camps. Things are back to normal, but the playing field has raised the stakes to the highest level for both.
Former allies turned enemies, BJD and BJP’s alliance plans started as two major political rivals heading towards an unlikely alliance just ahead of the 2024 elections. After stretching over two weeks, the brouhaha gradually turned into whispers and eventually emerged as a ‘whodunit’. Who wanted the alliance? What were the compelling reasons? Why did the talks fail? Who were the main actors of the dialogue?
Certainly, there were clear indications that the BJP was inclined towards this deal as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s grand vision of ‘Chaar Sau Paar’ by presenting a grand NDA in which old allies New friends were made while uniting. BJD’s response was also enthusiastic and warm. The regional party, led by Naveen Patnaik, is battling anti-incumbency, voter fatigue and has reached a critical phase of transition. The future of the party will also have to be secured.
The image of BJD and BJP workers has been used only for the purpose of representation.BJP rejects BJD’s request for alliance in Odisha: AparajitaThe image of BJD and BJP workers has been used only for the purpose of representation.
Uneasiness calms down in BJP after alliance talks with BJD stalled
Yet, there is little communication and much silence from both organizations. Ideally, it should be the stated responsibility of political parties to communicate with their leaders on such important decisions. From what we have seen so far, it clearly doesn’t matter as most leaders on both sides were completely ignorant of the undercurrent. It is strange that two major political forces – one, a national stalwart and the other, a torch-bearer of regional identity – who swear by democratic values in their respective organisations, have maintained silence on whether they are against each other. Why do you want the right to form an alliance with? Before such an important election.
Now that the grand plan has been sidelined, this is business as usual for both parties. It is expected that this fight will be even uglier and more intense than in 2019. It’s going to be fire for fire. Because, the stakes are higher than ever. For the Manmohan Samal-led BJP state unit, it is do or die. From day one, Samal stressed that the party had everything it needed to move forward alone. The stubbornness was in the face of the knowledge that the alliance plan had come from above. The confidence in the state unit and its senior leaders for a better performance in the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections is a major show of confidence by the BJP central leadership.
