Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha and leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has displayed remarkable political acumen in his career. His ability to navigate complex political relationships while staying true to his party’s ideology and goals has earned him admiration even from his harshest critics. Shortly after his party’s victory over the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Jharsuguda bypoll, Patnaik wasted no time in criticizing the national party and its “double engine” slogan.
In an address to BJD party workers, Patnaik emphasized that what truly matters is good governance that benefits the people, rather than empty slogans. The timing of his criticism was significant, as the BJP had recently suffered a resounding defeat at the hands of the Congress in Karnataka. This critique followed Patnaik’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, where he had dismissed the possibility of forming an anti-BJP alliance, leading to speculation about his alignment with the national party. Patnaik had also met with his old friends Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee, who sought his support for a third front against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 elections. On both occasions, Patnaik had asserted that the meetings were apolitical, and his counterparts had no objections to his stance.
As one of the longest-serving chief ministers in the country, Patnaik has remained steadfast in his priorities. While supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on national issues, he has not hesitated to confront them on matters specific to Odisha. With another general election on the horizon, Patnaik has made it clear that the BJP remains the primary opponent for his party in Odisha.
In preparation for the elections, a reshuffle of the ministry is expected to ensure adequate representation for regions where the BJD may face challenges. Performance evaluations of ministers and MLAs have been conducted, and the government has established Special Development Councils (SDCs) in 23 out of 30 districts. These SDCs serve as political bodies aimed at safeguarding and promoting tribal culture and art, countering the BJP’s attempts to gain influence in Scheduled Tribe areas of the state. Navigating the ever-changing political landscape, Patnaik relies on his political astuteness and unwavering focus on his primary constituency—Odisha—to steer clear of controversy.