BJP workers worry over anti-incumbency shadow amid ongoing alliance talks with BJD

BJP in Odisha faces dilemma over alliance with BJD, risking anti-incumbency and grassroots discontent, impacting election prospects.

The Bharatiya Janata Party will unnecessarily shoulder the burden of anti-incumbency accrued from 24 years of Biju Janata Dal rule despite the saffron party putting in blood, sweat, and tears to rebuild itself after the 2009 break-up, said party workers voicing concerns over reported alliance negotiation.

Despite sources from both the BJP and BJD indicating significant progress in alliance negotiations, to the extent that a return seems difficult, grassroots cadres are still struggling to come to terms with this reality.

Political experts in Odisha suggested that the statements from State BJP president Manmohan Samal, as well as election co-in charges Vijaypal Singh Tomar and Lata Usendi, claiming ignorance about alliance talks might simply be an effort to moderate the growing discontent among the grassroots level cadres. All these BJP leaders said there was preparation to fight the election alone.

On Sunday, a State BJP delegation led by Mr. Samal rushed to New Delhi after being summoned by the central leadership, possibly to attend a meeting to discuss proposed alliance and seat sharing.

Also Read | Senior Odisha BJP leaders feign ignorance about BJD alliance talks

“We are going to New Delhi to discuss about preparation for fighting next elections,” he said.

After the alliance between BJP, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party was sealed for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, BJP’s central leadership, sources said, turned their focus to Odisha and set a target to close the negotiation as earlier they can.