BJD reverses stance, withdraws support for Congress-backed Odisha bandh

The Biju Janata Dal's swift reversal of its bandh support highlighted the fractious nature of opposition unity in Odisha, even as national opposition parties attempt to coordinate their anti-government stance. Pramila Mallik, serving as the BJD's Chief Whip in the state assembly, initially lent the party's backing to the Indian National Congress-led INDIA bloc's call for a statewide shutdown on Thursday. However, within an hour of making that announcement, Mallik retracted the party's support, citing unspecified reasons for the about-turn.

The rapid flip underscored existing tensions between the BJD and the Congress-led opposition coalition, despite both being part of the broader INDIA bloc framework. The BJD, which governs Odisha as a regional powerhouse, has traditionally maintained a cautious distance from national opposition politics, often prioritising state-specific interests over bloc solidarity. Thursday's sequence of events—initial support followed by swift withdrawal—suggested internal party deliberations may have prompted the reversal.

The bandh call had aimed to mobilise public support behind the opposition's broader political agenda. However, without the BJD's backing in Odisha, where the party commands significant grassroots presence, the shutdown's effectiveness faced potential constraints. The episode raised questions about the cohesion of the INDIA bloc in states where regional parties hold substantial political sway, particularly in eastern India where the BJD's influence remains pronounced.