The resignation of BJD MP Baijayant Jay Panda definitely indicates something is not working well within the BJD core group. Baijayant Jay Panda has been a parliamentarian of the BJD since 2000 and has been the poster boy for the party. In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Pattanaik he has mentioned,”It’s with deep anguish, hurt and sorrow that I have decided to quit the politics into which our BJD has descended.

With the BJD and you yourself having made it abundantly clear that I am unwanted, it is only right disassociate from it.” Incidentally, he was suspended by the party on disciplinary grounds when he openly challenged the leadership. His father Bansidhar Panda was a close friend, supporter and associate of Biju Pattanaik. Thus the resignation of the leader definitely makes it uncomfortable for BJD.

The political stand of Naveen Pattanaik has been difficult to conceive of to some extent. Interestingly, during HD Kumaraswamy’s swearing in ceremony in Karnataka, when most of the opposition leaders were present, Naveen Pattanaik gave a miss. Truly, Naveen Pattanaik doesn’t want to be on the wrong side of the Narendra Modi government. But the reality is, the saffron outfit is spreading its wings in the state and has certainly the capability to be the main opposition in the state.

Although BJD was once the ally of BJP, the present scenario in markedly different. Anyhow there is also a possibility that BJD may decide to go with BJP in the national front but compete in the local level. That actually solves the purpose in the long run. The BJD has categorically supported the NDA government on issues like demonetisation and GST and even helped in passing legislative laws.

The next year is going to be very crucial for Odisha as the party is going to take part in both Assembly Polls and Lok Sabha Polls. As of now, it is not clear whether Baijayant Jay Panda will join BJP or any other party, but the BJD leadership need to take care of the situation. From national perspective too, the opposition platform is closely looking at Naveen Pattanaik’s motives. If BJD stays neutral or supports NDA, it would indeed be a pivotal moment in the national politics ahead of the Lok Sabha Polls scheduled next year.