BJD in Crisis As Dharmendra Factor Lures Its Leaders to Saffron Fold

Bhubaneswar: To save the face; the BJD leaders in Odisha continue rhetoric of unity and strength. But the reality is that the regional party that ruled Odisha for 24 years is facing a major crisis that also threatens its future existence.

Two BJD Rajya Sabha MPs- Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar- quitting the party within one month and joining the BJP cannot be taken lightly. Reaction of BJD leaders to this shocker also hints at the differences in the party. While some leaders called for introspection in the party, there were others who claimed that it will have no impact on the BJD.

It’ll Not End Here:

According to political analysts, the BJP which wants to strengthen its foothold in Odisha after the unprecedented win in Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will not sit silent after taking these two major wickets in the beginning of their innings in the state.

With the resignation of Mohanata and Kumar has dwindled position of the BJD in national politics, which has no member in the Lok Sabha for the first time since its inception in 1997. It now has seven MPs in the Rajya Sabha. Odisha has 10 Raya Sabha seats of which 9 were with BJD and BJP’s Ashwini Vaishnaw was elected to the Upper House of Parliament with the support of the BJD. This decline in stature at national level is also affecting the faith of the leaders of the BJD.

Meanwhile, Mohanta, who has been reelected to the Rajya Sabha on BJP ticket has already claimed that there was possibility of further influx from BJD adding that there are many disgruntled elements in the Naveen Patnaik-led regional party. According to her, many leaders are feeling suffocated in the BJD and some of them may quit the regional party like her and Sujeet Kumar in the future.

Rudderless Future:

Mohanta’s statement has some basis, as in private circles, BJD leaders accept that their party is facing an uncertain future. They are worried about the advanced age of Naveen Patnaik, who is yet to declare a successor. This is affecting the support base as well as the functioning of the party.

Pandian Factor:

Several BJD leaders had never accepted the meteoric rise of IAS-turned politician VK Pandian in the party. They had accepted Pandian’s shadow rule over the BJD out of compulsion and feel it was a major reason behind party’s demise in the last elections. Although they do not say it in public, Many BJD leaders allege that although Pandian has publicly distanced himself from the BJD, his tacit rule still continues in party affairs.

After quitting BJD and joining BJP, Sujeet Kumar had hinted at disgruntlement towards Pandian’s rise in the BJD with the allegation, “Some leaders said that big leaders of the party were unhappy as they wanted me to touch their feet and follow their instructions. I was asked to do slavery for such leaders in BJD. It was for this reason that I was sidelined.” Similar feeling exists in the minds of several BJD leaders which may lead to defections in near future.

Dharmedra’s Charisma:

At this juncture, the leaders of the BJD are getting lured by the Dharmendra Pradhan factor in the BJP. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan was present when Sujeet Kumar joined the BJP.

While the BJD is facing leadership and organization crisis, which it is trying hard to hide, Pradhan has emerged as strongest leader in Odisha BJP as he was the key catalyst behind BJP’s never before performance in Odisha. Pradhan’s role in BJP’s Odisha win was acknowledged by the Chanakya of the saffron party, the Home Minister Amit Shah.

Pradhan headed the BJP’s manifesto forming team for Odisha that paved the path for its victory in the state. It was Pradhan who swayed the electorate in Odisha towards the BJP through lucrative promises like the Subhadra Yojana, hiking paddy MSP to Rs 3,100 per quintal, fight for Odia asmita. He was the key brain behind BJP’s poll strategy management in Odisha.

Hitting Right Chords:

His no holds barred attack on Pandian during election has surely stirred chords in the minds of anti-Pandian leaders in the BJD.

Pradhan’s grassroot level political acumen has kept him in touch with leaders and workers of the BJD. He has cordial relations with key BJD leaders. His proximity to top national level leaders including PM Modi, Amit Shah has increased his stature in Odisha politics. So, several BJD leaders do not feel shy to have relations with him in private.

With his political career spanning from student politics to Central cabinet, Pradhan has the capacity to deal with the mood of the political leaders. Pradhan is extremely rooted to the party and knows the BJP organization from the core.

These factors make Pradhan a key catalyst for possible influx of disgruntled BJD leaders into the BJP.

BJD’s Loss is BJP’s Gain:

Moreover, after rooting the first BJP government in Odisha, Pradhan will also want to make it stronger by weakening the main opposition party, BJD. Elections in past decades have proved that the Congress is a spent force in Odisha. There are rumours that some more leaders of the BJD are already in secret touch with Pradhan, who because of his personality is approachable.

So, in near future it will not be surprising if BJD faces some more shockers in the form of defection of its leaders to the BJP. And for it the Dharmendra factor will be the real but silent catalyst.