Has the BJP’s mission Odisha unfolded with Jay Panda’s resignation?

New Delhi: With the Prime Minister Narendra Modi blowing the poll bugle for the next Lok Sabha election from Odisha, the new battleground for the Bharatiya Janata Partyis is set to be for Odisha.

Some more leaders of the Biju Janata Dal and the Congress might join the BJP fold and the party may contest elections with full strength including Union ministers and senior leaders of the party.

Suspended BJD leader Baijayant (Jay) Panda has resigned who in the course of time is expected to join the BJP.

Sources said that former BJD leader Jay Panda might follow the path of West Bengal leader Mukul Roy who had quit the Trinamool Congress to join the saffron outfit.

There are some more leaders not only from the BJD but also from the Congress who are waiting for the right time to join the BJP.

Panda will help the BJP to make dent in the BJD not only by bringing some more leaders from the party to the BJP but also try to win over people for the BJP.

Sources informed that the PM starting his fourth anniversary celebration rally from Orissa has some clear meaning that his party has some plan for Odisha. BJP national president Amit Shah starting his campaign from the south India too is a clear example of the BJP trying to increasing its number from this region.
Sources informed that besides Panda another expelled leader Damodar Raut might also join the BJP who was expelled from the party in December last year for making objectionable statement which was vehemently opposed by Brahmins in the state.

Former chief minister of Odisha Giridhar Gomang had joined the BJP in 2015 and shared dais with the PM at his Cuttack rally. Gamang is the same leaders, who was responsible for the fall of Vajpayee government once. This clearly indicates that BJP has to increase its tally from states like Odisha because in some states it is on saturation.

There is another leader called Jairam Pangi who is also reportedly in the contact with the BJP leadership and may join the party in the days to come. But sources said that more than the BJD, the BJP is eying on the Congress leaders as they will not have any incumbency either personal or organizational.

However, the in case Panda joining the BJP, he might not contest from his Kendrapada constituency which is pocket borrow of the BJD and from Kendrapada the BJD started its political journey. It is very difficult for the BJP and even the Congress to make inroads in this constituency. Moreover, Panda has very limited appeal among the masses as well.

However, the BJP will use all its ammunition to dislodge BJD's Odisha citadel like it may field Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram, party spokesperson Sambit Patra besides new entrants in the party.