Odisha politics: Congress mobilising strength to position itself on equal footing with BJP, BJD

While senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s assertion that the party could emerge as the main Opposition in Odisha may be premature, a well-coordinated effort with the right messaging could set the stage for its revival in the State. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claims his party is now Odisha’s main Opposition, citing a traffic advisory ahead of a Congress protest in front of the Assembly on Thursday (March 27, 2025). But has the party truly overcome its organisational struggles? Despite optimism from its Assembly protests, the Congress still has a long road to reclaim its lost ground in Odisha.

The ongoing Budget session in Odisha Legislative Assembly saw Congress MLAs highlighting the issue of crime against women in a sustained manner and getting suspended for resorting to unconventional methods in the House. To amplify their protest, Congress MLAs beat gongs and cymbals. They had also arrived dressed in black to participate in Assembly proceedings.

All the noises made by Congress MLAs inside House were supplemented by party leaders including newly appointed Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das outside with aggressive sound-bytes. Instead of hogging limelight in view of party’s protest, Mr. Das carefully brought in all senior leaders to face media, an apparent move to show a united front.

“When the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government lost power, the number of missing women and children in the State stood at 44,823. Over the past nine months, this figure has surged by 20,000. During the same period, 1,600 cases of crimes against women have been recorded, including 60 incidents of gang rape. If this isn’t a pressing concern for the Bharatiya Janata Party government, what is?” asked aggressive OPCC President.

A step backward for Odisha’s economy

Mr. Das said, “minor girls are facing frequent sexual assaults. A class VI student is reported to be pregnant and around 10 girls studying in standard 10 have conceived. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not giving emphasis to the burning issue.”

According to the Congress chief, the issue has gained traction on the ground, with party workers rallying behind their leaders and putting up the strong fight they are known for. However, the party still grapples with significant organisational weaknesses. After the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) was dissolved following last year’s electoral debacle, the president’s post remained vacant for several months until Mr. Das took over. The reconstitution of district and block units is still pending, and the party’s financial resources are reportedly insufficient to sustain its public outreach. Except for its presence in the southern districts, the Congress remains a marginal force in coastal and western Odisha.

Despite these challenges, political observers believe the Congress has chosen the right moment to assert itself. In the Odisha Assembly, the BJP holds a dominant position with 78 seats, backed by three independent MLAs. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is navigating governance without prior Ministerial experience. Meanwhile, the BJD, now the principal Opposition with 51 seats, finds itself in unfamiliar territory. Congress trails at a distant third with just 14 seats.

The BJD is not as formidable as it was while in power. For more than two decades, the party revolved around the towering presence of Naveen Patnaik and, later, his trusted aide V.K. Pandian. Mr. Patnaik’s governance style allowed him to remain behind closed doors, as the entire administrative machinery functioned through his residence, Naveen Niwas. But being in the Opposition demands an entirely different approach — one that requires direct engagement with the public. The second-rung leadership, sidelined for years, cannot be expected to gain acceptance overnight. Mr. Patnaik’s absence from public platforms weakens the BJD’s organisational strength, making it evident that the party is not at its best.

Sensing an opportunity, the Congress aims to reassert itself as a formidable player alongside the BJP and the BJD. “We will identify emerging faces in various districts based on their active participation in protests. After assuming the party presidency, I led a padayatra from Bhubaneswar to Puri. Once the party’s grassroots structure is in place, I am prepared to undertake a 3,000-km padayatra, which will undoubtedly energise our workers,” said Mr. Das.

While senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s assertion that the party could emerge as the main Opposition in Odisha may be premature, a well-coordinated effort with the right messaging could set the stage for its revival in the State.