Biju Janata Dal

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is a prominent regional political party in Odisha, India. Founded on December 26, 1997, by Naveen Patnaik after a split from the Janata Dal, the BJD has grown to become a major force in Odisha politics. Naveen Patnaik, who has served as Chief Minister of Odisha multiple times, is also the party’s president. The BJD’s headquarters is situated in Forest Park, Bhubaneswar. The party’s influence is largely regional, focusing on issues pertinent to Odisha and its development.

Elections:

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has had a significant and dynamic presence in Odisha’s political landscape. Here’s a brief overview of their electoral history:

• 1998 General Elections: The BJD won nine seats, and Naveen Patnaik was appointed Minister for Mines.
• 1999 General Elections: The party increased its seat count to ten.
• 2000 & 2004 Assembly Elections: The BJD won a majority in the Odisha Legislative Assembly in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
• 2004 General Elections: The BJD secured 11 Lok Sabha seats.
• 2009 Elections: After parting ways with the BJP due to differences over communalism and seat-sharing, the BJD won 14 Lok Sabha seats and a significant 108 out of 147 seats in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
• 2014 General Elections: The BJD achieved a major victory, winning 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats from Odisha and 117 out of 147 seats in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
• 2019 Elections: The BJD was re-elected with 112 of the 147 seats in the Odisha Legislative Assembly but saw a reduction in Lok Sabha seats to 12.
• 2022: The BJD achieved a clean sweep in the Panchayat and urban local body elections in Odisha.
• 2024 Elections: The BJD faced a setback, losing all Lok Sabha seats and the Odisha Assembly elections, with the BJP emerging victorious in both.

This recent loss marks a significant shift in Odisha’s political dynamics, with the BJP gaining prominence in the state.

Lok Sabha Elections:

Odisha Legislative Assembly:

In the Odisha Legislative Assembly elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership has seen notable fluctuations in performance over the years. In the 2000 elections, the party contested 84 seats and won 68, marking an increase of 68 seats from the previous term with a vote share of 29.40% and a popular vote of 4,151,895, securing the government. The 2004 elections saw the BJD contest the same number of seats but win 61, a decrease of 7 seats, with a vote share of 27.36% and a popular vote of 4,632,280.

In 2009, the party’s fortunes improved significantly as it contested 129 seats and won 103, an increase of 42 seats, achieving 38.86% of the vote and a popular vote of 6,903,641. The 2014 elections were particularly successful for the BJD, as they won 117 out of 147 seats, an increase of 14 seats, with 43.35% of the vote and a popular vote of 9,335,159. In 2019, despite a decrease of 5 seats to 112, the BJD still commanded a strong position with 44.71% of the vote and a popular vote of 10,475,697. However, in the 2024 elections, the BJD faced a significant setback, winning only 51 out of 147 seats, a dramatic decrease of 61 seats, with a vote share of 40.22% and a popular vote of 10,102,454, transitioning to the opposition.

Party Presidents

• Naveen Patnaik
  (1946–)
  Term: 26 December 1997 – Incumbent
  Time in Office: 26 years, 238 days

Union Cabinet Ministers

1. Naveen Patnaik
   Portfolio: Ministry of Steel and Mines
   Term: 19 March 1998 – 13 October 1999
   Time in Office: 1 year, 208 days
   Constituency: Aska (Lok Sabha)
   Prime Minister: Atal Bihari Vajpayee
2. Naveen Patnaik
   Portfolio: Ministry of Mines and Minerals
   Term: 13 October 1999 – 4 March 2000
   Time in Office: 143 days
3. Arjun Charan Sethi
   (1941–2020)
   Portfolio: Ministry of Water Resources
   Term: 27 May 2000 – 22 May 2004
   Time in Office: 3 years, 361 days
   Constituency: Bhadrak (Lok Sabha)

Union Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

1. Dilip Kumar Ray
   Portfolio: Ministry of Coal
   Term: 20 March 1998 – 13 October 1999
   Time in Office: 1 year, 207 days
   Constituency: Odisha (Rajya Sabha)
   Prime Minister: Atal Bihari Vajpayee
2. Dilip Kumar Ray
   Portfolio: Ministry of Steel
   Term: 13 October 1999 – 27 May 2000
   Time in Office: 227 days
3. Braja Kishore Tripathy
   Portfolio: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
   Term: 27 May 2000 – 22 May 2004
   Time in Office: 3 years, 361 days
   Constituency: Puri (Lok Sabha)

Chief Ministers of Odisha

1. Naveen Patnaik
   Term: 5 March 2000 – 15 May 2004
   Assembly: 12th (2000)
   Constituency: Hinjili
   Ministry: Patnaik I
2. Naveen Patnaik
   Term: 16 May 2004 – 21 May 2009
   Assembly: 13th (2004)
   Ministry: Patnaik II
3. Naveen Patnaik
   Term: 22 May 2009 – 20 May 2014
   Assembly: 14th (2009)
   Ministry: Patnaik III
4. Naveen Patnaik
   Term: 21 May 2014 – 28 May 2019
   Assembly: 15th (2014)
   Ministry: Patnaik IV
5. Naveen Patnaik
   Term: 29 May 2019 – 11 June 2024
   Assembly: 16th (2019)
   Ministry: Patnaik V

Leaders of the Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly

1. Naveen Patnaik
   Term: 19 June 2024 – Incumbent
   Assembly: 17th (2024)
   Constituency: Hinjili
   Time in Office: 62 days

Deputy Leaders of the Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly

1. Prasanna Acharya
   Term: 19 June 2024 – Incumbent
   Assembly: 17th (2024)
   Constituency: Rairakhol
   Leader of the Opposition: Naveen Patnaik
   Time in Office: 62 days