BJD Abstains from VP Polls, Signaling Bid to Curb Congress Revival in Odisha

Quick Summary

• Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Biju Janata Dal (BJD) abstained from voting in the vice-presidential election, despite recent sharp criticisms of the BJP government.
• The BJD’s abstention benefits NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan’s prospects and aligns with its stated policy of maintaining “equal distance” from both NDA and INDIA opposition bloc.
• Sasmit Patra, BJD leader in Rajya sabha, emphasized that the party’s focus remains on Odisha’s advancement and its Political Affairs Commitee collectively decided to abstain.
• Historically,BJD has supported BJP on critical legislations such as the Citizenship Amendment Act,Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019,and others despite posturing as rivals.
• Analyst Rabi das noted a “tacit understanding” between BJD and BJP due to political dynamics stemming from alleged irregularities during 24 years of Naveen Patnaik’s rule.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The decision by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to abstain reflects a calculated move balancing regional interests with political realities. Abstaining allows it to maintain perceived neutrality without aligning openly against either major alliance-NDA or INDIA-which could alienate key voters or jeopardize partnerships for local governance priorities.

while historically aligned with BJP-led initiatives despite tensions showcased publicly, this strategy hints at practical compulsion rather than ideological convergence.For Odisha specifically, this is likely tied to developmental projects benefiting from central government support while avoiding direct criticism or confrontation. The tacit alignment signals broader questions about internal political stability within opposition blocs at national levels ahead of pivotal elections such as those in 2024.

Read more: The Hindu