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 (October 7, 2026), for the second consecutive day, issued a clarification asserting that the regional party maintained equidistance from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.The BJD found itself in a sticky wicket after Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik said on Wednesday that, as part of the INDIA bloc, the party supported the ‘Odisha Bandh’ called by INDIA bloc parties for Thursday (October 8, 2026). Within an hour, however, she backtracked, saying the BJD was not part of any alliance and, therefore, did not support the proposed bandh.The regional party had issued a similar clarification on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) after its Rajya Sabha MPs participated in a protest march organised by INDIA bloc parties in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.“BJD continues to work consistently on various issues concerning the people of Odisha. BJD neither supports nor opposes the bandh called for tomorrow. We have maintained an independent and principled position. 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 maintained equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress and would 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 the rally organised by opposition parties in New Delhi was part of a wider campaign against the voter-list revision process.Senior Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja ridiculed the BJD’s change of stance within hours. “BJD is a directionless party. It has a habit of aligning with the BJP. There is always pressure from the BJP on the BJD. Whatever the BJP says, the BJD toes the line. The BJD was forced to refute its support for the INDIA bloc,” he said.BJP State president Manmohan Samal said, “We have no idea why the BJD changed its stance. We want the Opposition to stay united, which is a good sign for a healthy democracy.”The Congress and Left parties have called for an Odisha Bandh on Thursday (October 8, 2026) on the issue of their opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2026, the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and resignation of Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond for mistakes in preparation of school textbooks in the current academic session.According to political observers, the BJD remains a principal Opposition party to the BJP in Odisha. They argue that if the regional party begins supporting the Congress on a range of issues, it could risk diluting its anti-Congress positioning, which has been a defining feature of the BJD’s political identity since its formation. (EOM) Published - October 08, 2026 09:17 am IST