BJD distances itself from Congress after withdrawing support for Odisha Bandh

Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik. File | Photo credit: ANI

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday (Oct 7, 2026) issued a clarification for the second day in a row saying that the regional party has maintained an equal distance from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

The BJD found itself in a sticky situation after Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik on Wednesday said that as part of the INDIA bloc, the party supported the ‘Odisha Bandh’ called by the INDIA bloc parties on Thursday (October 8, 2026). However, she backtracked within an hour and said that the BJD was not part of any alliance and therefore did not support the proposed bandh.

The regional party issued a similar explanation on Tuesday (Oct 06, 2026) after its Rajya Sabha MPs took part in a protest march organized by INDIA bloc parties in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

“The BJD continues to work consistently on various issues concerning the people of Odisha. The BJD neither supports nor opposes the bandh called after tomorrow. We have maintained an independent and principled stand. Our focus is on the rights and interests of the people of Odisha,” party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said in a statement issued here.

The BJD reiterated that it maintains an equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress and will continue to take decisions based on the interests of Odisha and its people.

Mr. Mohanty further clarified that the participation of BJD Rajya Sabha MPs in a rally organized by opposition parties in New Delhi was part of a wider campaign against the electoral roll revision process.

Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja mocked the BJD’s change of stance within hours. “BJD is a directionless party. It has a habit of aligning itself with BJP. There is always pressure on BJD from BJP. Whatever BJP says, BJD toes the line. BJD has been forced to retract its support to the INDIA bloc,” he said.

BJP State President Manmohan Samal said, “We have no idea why the BJD has changed its stand. We want the opposition to remain united, which is a good sign for a healthy democracy.”

The Congress and Left parties have called for Odisha Bandh on Thursday (October 8, 2026) over their opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the resignation of the Odisha School and Mass Education in the current session in preparation of the text of the Nityan Go Academic School.

According to political observers, the BJD remains the main opposition party to the BJP in Odisha. They argue that if the regional party starts supporting the Congress on a number of issues, it could risk weakening its anti-Congress stance, which has been a defining feature of the BJD’s political identity since its inception. (EOM)

Published – 8 Oct 2026 09:17 IST