Bhubaneswar, April 27: As the countdown to elections in Odisha comes closer, political parties find themselves grappling with an unexpected challenge: dissidence within their ranks. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in particular are facing a tumultuous period as dissidents within their parties raise their voices against candidate selections.
Odisha is gearing up for both general and assembly elections simultaneously, adding to the intensity of the political landscape. However, amidst the fervor of candidate selection, dissatisfaction is brewing among party workers who find themselves sidelined as ticket aspirants.
Protests, both within and outside party offices, have become commonplace as disgruntled workers demand changes in candidate lists. The discontentment has led to delays in finalizing candidates for several assembly seats, disrupting the electoral process.
Former Minister and sitting MLA, Samir Ranjan Das, recently organized a gathering of supporters in Nimapada after being denied a party ticket by the ruling BJD. Similar instances are observed across party lines, with dissidents either switching loyalties or orchestrating massive demonstrations to showcase their strength.
The situation is further compounded by dissidents planning to contest against their own party candidates or clandestinely working to ensure their defeat. The candidature of individuals like Jaydev MLA Arabinda Dhali, who defected from BJD to BJP, has faced opposition from local BJP workers, reflecting the deep-seated tensions within party ranks.
In some instances, party workers have openly protested against the selection of candidates, highlighting internal discord. The BJP’s decision to field certain individuals, such as actor-turned-politician Akash Das Nayak, has drawn criticism from local party members, further exacerbating the rift. Smrutirekha Pahi, the BJP candidate for Dharmashala assembly seat, did not go down well with ticket aspirant Himanshu Sekhar Sahu, whose supporters staged protest at the party headquarters here and demanded ticket for the latter.
“We are working meticously to ensure victory of our candidates in the twin polls. Dissidence within the party is normal. In a constituency, there are several ticket aspirants. But, we can’t satisfy all. However, we are working to pacify them and they will work for the party,” said a senior BJP leader.
The BJD, too, is not immune to dissent, with supporters of various leaders staging protests against candidate nominations. Despite efforts by senior party leaders to pacify dissidents, the unrest continues to pose a significant challenge to election campaigns, potentially impacting the electoral outcome.
The passive involvement of disgruntled local leaders, who may silently campaign for rival fronts, adds another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape. Fearing potential losses and sabotage by dissidents, political parties have resorted to changing candidates in certain constituencies to mitigate the risk.
In the face of mounting challenges, party leaders remain optimistic, banking on the trust of the people and their track record of service.
“We have selected the candidates considering several aspects including winability. The people have faith in BJD and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. We have been serving the people since last 24 years and this time also the people will bless us,” said a BJD leader.
While the political parties are confident of ensuring the winning of their candidates, the road to electoral success in Odisha appears fraught with obstacles, with dissidence emerging as a formidable adversary for political parties vying for power.
