ASSEMBLY-ELECTION
BJP is running an aggressive campaign in Odisha, but is it enough to beat Naveen Patnaik?
The mood in the BJP camp is upbeat as they feel the party has a realistic chance of winning the Assembly elections this time. Modi’s popularity is definitely on the upswing, but is it enough to dent CM Naveen Patnaik’s winning streak?
LOK-SABHA-ELECTION
Lok Sabha Polls: Party hoppers have a field day in Odisha ahead of elections
The poll bugle has been rung and the parties have been scrambling to name their winning candidates. Odisha is also preparing for the Assembly elections and it’s open season for everyone, especially party hoppers who are having a field day
POLITICS
Odisha: Cosy BJD-BJP ties come into focus ahead of simultaneous Lok Sabha-assembly elections
While BJD facilitating a Rajya Sabha win for Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw can be explained away by the state ruling party as a way of taking care of Odisha’s interests, it is getting harder for BJD and BJP to dispel perceptions of an informal alliance. BJP’s Mission 400 and Naveen Patnaik’s desire for unfettered power in Odisha are coalescing seamlessly as the polls near with Congress in no position to seize the opposition space
BUSINESS
Gloves are off between BJP & BJD following IT raids and massive cash haul
After years of going soft on BJD, there is a marked difference in how the Odisha BJP unit is targetting the ruling party over the huge cash haul from IT raids on liquor firms. BJD’s claims of innocence are finding no takers given the party’s long stewardship of the state during which the raided firm, Baldev Sahu & Sons, had a virtual monopoly
BUSINESS
Support to BJP in Parliament leaves ruling BJD and Naveen Patnaik sitting pretty in Odisha
From generous central funds to weakening the oppositional politics of the Odisha BJP unit and keeping central agencies at bay, the astute CM has used his Rajya Sabha numbers to good effect. For BJP there is a price to pay for Patnaik’s support: Its state unit could lose ground as polls approach
