LS Polls 2019: Who Holds the Edge in Odisha?

How will Naveen Patnaik’s politics in Odisha influence the situation in New Delhi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections?

(Photo: The Quint)

Twenty one seats are at stake in the state of Odisha where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been the dominating political figure for the last 19 years. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won by a landslide in both the Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

But how will the state politics of Patnaik influence the situation in New Delhi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections? Senior journalist Sandeep Sahu and Rajesh Mahapatra, former Editor-at-large weighed in on a discussion of the Patnaik effect and if the BJD still has an edge in the current elections.

Mahapatra said, “It would appear they still have an edge because the late resurgence of BJP has made the contest triangular in many parts of the state. Hence I would like to believe Naveen has an edge, but it is significantly dented.”

BloombergQuint’s Harsha Subramaniam asked if there is any change in dynamics of the political game in the state after one of the former founding members of the BJD, Baijayant Panda joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“I thought it would have minimum impact, but I was wrong, it did change the dynamics,” Mahapatra said, adding that the the move will help BJP’s narrative in the state.

Anti-Incumbency: An Election Issue In Odisha?

On being asked if anti-incumbency is an issue in Odisha, Sahu agreed to its existence, but refused to link it to the chief minister himself.

“There is no doubt that there is a certain amount of anti-incumbency this time, but it has nothing to do with Naveen Patnaik, the leader himself. The people still love him. As a leader he is the most acceptable leader for most people in Odisha.”

Sandeep Sahu, senior journalist

According to Sahu, the anti-incumbency exists at the level of local representation. He explained how many of the MPs, MLAs and local party leaders have faced the wrath of the people and how a lot of anger is at the local representation, but not much against the leader himself.

He also added that it is now left to see whether Patnaik’s own image and own equation with the electors is good enough to overcome this anti-incumbency factor in the elections.