The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged victorious in the Odisha Assembly Elections 2024, marking a historic shift in the state’s political landscape. The BJP’s decisive victory, with 20 out of 21 seats, has ended the 24-year reign of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
This political turnaround in Odisha is attributed to several factors. The BJP’s robust campaign, which included criticism of an ‘outsider’ controlling the state government, resonated with voters. The party’s promise of providing ₹3,100 per quintal of rice gained significant support among rural voters, who have traditionally formed the core of the BJD’s support base.
The BJD’s efforts to boost women’s representation through self-help groups did not translate into electoral gains. The Lokniti-CSDS post-poll survey revealed that the BJP received support from 43% of women voters compared to the BJD’s 39%. The BJP also garnered greater support from men (47%) than women.
In terms of caste dynamics, the BJP managed to secure greater support from upper castes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), particularly “upper” OBCs. “Lower” OBCs were equally divided between the BJP and the BJD (48% each). Dalits and Adivasis were more fragmented in their support, with the Congress receiving support from 16% of Dalits and 23% of Adivasis.
The BJP’s victory in Odisha consolidates its all-India presence and helps the party avoid a more significant dent in its seat tally in Parliament. The outcome reflects a complete political turnaround in Odisha, where voters had previously returned the BJD to power in the state despite voting in favor of the BJP for parliamentary seats. This time, however, the BJD was completely displaced from power.
The BJP’s success in Odisha is a testament to its ability to adapt its campaign strategies to the specific dynamics of different states. The party’s focus on local issues and its promise to address the concerns of rural voters proved effective in breaking the BJD’s long-standing hold on Odisha.
