2025, Vol. 7, Issue 11, Part A

Author(s): Abhishek Naik, Prabhat Kishor Mahanand and Ashish Kumar Agarwal

Abstract: The 2024 Odisha State Assembly Election marked a significant turning point in the political landscape in Odisha. It highlights the unprecedented rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a formidable political force. Odisha was traditionally ruled by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, with relative continuity in governance since 2000. But, the 2024 election outcomes reflect a landmark shift, where the BJP emerged as a key contender, substantially improving its seat share and voter base. This article critically analyzes the multifaceted factors contributing to the BJP's electoral emergence in Odisha and ranging from anti-incumbency sentiments, strategic candidate selection. The study adopts a mixed-method approach, utilizing both qualitative content analysis and quantitative electoral data to examine the political reconfiguration. The paper evaluates the declining vote share of the BJD, the Congress party’s continued marginalization, and the growing appeal of BJP’s development promises aligned with the Modi government's central schemes such as PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, and DBT initiatives etc. The findings show a transformative moment in Odisha politics where identity, ideology, and governance intersect, possibly heralding a new era of bipolar competition between BJP and BJD in the state’s democratic discourse.

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