BJP’s Sweep in Odisha Elections 2024 Shakes Up State’s Political Landscape

The political map in Odisha looks totally different now, and it’s got everyone talking. For 24 years, Naveen Patnaik and his BJD ruled the roost. But in the latest state and parliamentary elections, the BJP bulldozed its way in, nabbing 78 out of 147 assembly seats and a staggering 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats from Odisha. Suddenly, the BJD was left with just 51 seats in the state assembly and nothing in Parliament. That’s not just a loss—it’s a complete upending of Odisha's political story, led by the BJP’s aggressive focus on a single figure: VK Pandian.

The BJP’s campaign was relentless. They hammered home the narrative that Pandian, an ex-IAS officer from Tamil Nadu who became Patnaik’s right hand, was quietly running the show in Odisha. In rally after rally, BJP leaders called him an ‘outsider’ and hinted he’d be parachuted in as Patnaik’s heir. That claim seemed to stick, sparking heated debates not just inside the party, but on Odisha’s streets and WhatsApp groups too. The election became less about development and more about identity, leadership, and who truly serves Odia interests.

Naveen Patnaik Shuts Down Talk of a Pandian Succession

After the votes were counted and the losses tallied, all eyes turned to Naveen Patnaik. Would he finally announce who’d take the BJD baton? Patnaik made his stand clear—in a move that surprised some, he shot down any talk of Pandian as his political successor. No names, no hints, just a firm reminder that in a democracy, the people—not politicians—pick their next leader. Patnaik said bluntly that Pandian’s only job was to assist him, not to scheme for a promotion. Even with the media buzzing and opposition taunts flying, he stuck by that message.

Pandian himself reacted with a video. Dressed simply, looking more like a civil servant than a political kingmaker, he announced he was stepping back from active politics. He insisted his only purpose was to support Patnaik, especially during tough times like major cyclones and the COVID-19 pandemic. While critics accused him of wielding hidden power, Patnaik countered with real examples—pointing to Pandian’s calm during emergencies and saying every major decision always crossed his (Patnaik’s) desk first.

• VK Pandian helped coordinate Odisha’s disaster response, winning praise from locals after cyclones flattened entire districts but casualties stayed low.
• During the pandemic, both Pandian and Patnaik got credit for strict, quick action that brought national attention.
• Despite these achievements, Pandian’s Tamil Nadu origin and rapid ascent inside the BJD made him a target for those unhappy with Patnaik’s inner circle.

The results are stark—after two decades on top, the BJD will now have to regroup without Parliament representation and with their most talked-about aide gone from active politics. Critics say Patnaik’s deliberate refusal to name a successor signals uncertainty inside the party’s ranks. Supporters argue it’s democracy in action, letting Odias write the next chapter without being handed a pre-chosen leader.