Odisha stands at the cusp of crucial Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, gearing up for a gripping contest between the incumbent Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the formidable Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, seeking a record-breaking sixth term in the State Assembly, aims to etch his name further into Odisha’s political history.
The BJP, as the primary opposition, has crafted its campaign around the evocative issue of ‘Odia asmita’ or self-pride. The party alleges that the BJD’s rule has eroded Odia identity and that the reins of power should not be entrusted to a non-Odia like V.K. Pandian, Patnaik’s trusted aide and a former IAS officer from Tamil Nadu.
However, the BJP’s election strategy has raised eyebrows. Despite aiming to unseat a government that has been in power for two decades, Home Minister Amit Shah has downplayed any major issues with Patnaik, focusing instead on his aide. Integrating the Ram Mandir narrative into the asmita discourse, in a state where Lord Jagannath holds paramount importance, is seen as a tactical misstep.
The BJP’s overreliance on the asmita narrative has pushed other critical issues to the sidelines, such as rampant youth unemployment, inadequate healthcare and education, and economic migration. Despite Odisha’s alarmingly high youth unemployment rate, the issue has received scant attention in the BJP’s campaign, missing an opportunity to connect with the crucial demographic.
Meanwhile, the BJD has sought to retain its strong support base among women, particularly through its network of self-help groups (SHGs). The Opposition has failed to make significant inroads into this formidable structure, which favors the ruling party.
The BJP’s focus on asmita over governance failures may resonate with a limited segment of upper-middle class voters but may hold limited electoral significance. The party’s strategy appears to overlook lessons learned from its underwhelming performance in the Panchayat elections two years ago, where it secured a mere 5% of Zilla Parisad seats.
Crucially, by targeting Pandian, the BJP has inadvertently shielded Patnaik from direct attacks. Deflecting criticism and maintaining a clean image have been key factors in Patnaik’s enduring popularity. The Opposition’s campaign, with its emphasis on asmita, has played into his strengths, setting the stage for a fascinating electoral battle.
