WHY NEW STATE PARTY NOW

Speculation is growing that several political leaders in Odisha are quietly exploring the formation of a new regional party.

- SUNIT MISHRA, OP

Observers say the state’s current political landscape has prompted renewed thinking about whether space exists for another regional outfit.Looking at the present political scenario in the state, many are also thinking that there is space for another regional outfit. The results of the 2024 general elections help explain the rising interest.

The outcome underscored voters’ continued affinity for regional parties, even as seat tallies told a different story.

In the 147-member Odisha Assembly, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured the highest vote share, winning 1,01,02,454 votes or 40.22 per cent, but translated that support into 51 seats, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) followed closely with 1,00,64,827 votes or 40.07 per cent, yet won 78 seats which is 27 more than the BJD, enabling it to form the government. The BJD, despite polling 37,627 more votes than the BJP statewide, fell short in seat count.

The Congress garnered 33,31,319 votes or 13.26 per cent. Voters opting for ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) accounted for 2,57,355 votes or 1.02 per cent. Independent candidates collectively received 8,43,702 votes or 3.39 per cent.

Three Independents won Assembly seats but later joined the BJP; a common post-election development in state politics, where successful Independents often align with the ruling party.

An analysis of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results in Odisha shows that the BJP secured 1,13,35,549 votes (45.34 per cent).

Riding on this vote share, the BJP won 20 of the state’s 21 Lok Sabha seats.