The recent political upheaval in Odisha took a significant turn when Congress MLA Sofia Firdous and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) IT cell accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of electoral malpractice, specifically alleging “vote chori” (vote theft). Firdous asserted that the BJP’s victory in 20 Lok Sabha seats strengthened these concerns.
However, this allegation has prompted a series of counter-questions from political observers and critics. They point out that for 24 years, until just weeks before the June 2024 elections, the state’s law and order, administrative apparatus, and poll machinery were firmly under the control of Naveen Patnaik and the BJD.
Election Control Under BJD Rule
Between 2000 and 2024, the BJD recorded consecutive electoral victories, often with substantial margins, solidifying its influence in Odisha politics. Opposition parties, including both the BJP and Congress, have repeatedly accused the Patnaik government of exploiting the state’s administrative capabilities, welfare programs, and grassroots networks to skew the electoral process.
2000 Assembly and Lok Sabha Elections
Following the devastating 1999 super cyclone, the BJD-BJP alliance capitalised on anti-Congress sentiment, securing 109 of 147 Assembly seats. Critics alleged that cyclone relief distribution was politically biased, thereby strengthening support in pivotal constituencies.
2004 Elections
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) continued its winning streak, securing 93 Assembly seats. Opposition leaders accused the government of using state welfare programmes for political gain and deploying a meticulously coordinated booth-level management network to consolidate rural votes.
2009: Breakup with the BJP, yet a clean sweep
Just months before the election, Naveen Patnaik terminated the decade-long alliance with the BJP. Defying predictions of a close race, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured 103 Assembly seats and 14 Lok Sabha seats. Analysts attributed its formidable booth-level organisation, aggressive welfare branding, and influence over local administration.
2014: The Modi wave stops at Odisha’s borders
While the BJP swept much of India, the BJD won 117 Assembly seats and 20 Lok Sabha seats. Rivals accused the party of rebranding centrally funded schemes as state projects, monopolising media coverage, and restricting opposition campaigns in certain districts.
2019: Allegations of state machinery misuse
Despite the BJP’s growing base, the BJD retained 112 Assembly seats and 12 Lok Sabha seats. Opposition complaints included the misuse of police, targeted raids on opposition candidates, and manipulation of local media narratives, which the BJD dismissed as political excuses.
Past Allegations Against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD):
- Administrative Influence: District collectors, police, and block-level officers allegedly deployed to favour ruling party candidates.
- Welfare Scheme Public Relations Hijacking: Centrally funded schemes were rebranded as state initiatives to gain the loyalty of beneficiaries.
- Media Management: Strategic Advertising and Soft Coverage for BJD While Limiting Space for Dissenting Voices
- Voter Mobilisation Networks: SHGs, panchayat heads, and contractors who double as political workers ensure booth-level control.
For years, opposition leaders have alleged booth capturing, bogus voting in certain pockets, and targeted transfers of officials deemed non-compliant. However, none of these charges have resulted in substantive action from the Election Commission.
2024: A Shift in the Tide
The 2024 elections marked a significant shift. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made unprecedented gains in Odisha, winning 20 of 21 Lok Sabha seats and ousting the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from power in the Assembly. Analysts attribute this success to a combination of anti-incumbency sentiment, a high-profile Modi campaign, sustained RSS-BJP groundwork in tribal belts, and public discontent over the growing influence of bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian.
Currently, with BJD and Congress figures accusing the BJP of “vote chori,” the irony is not lost on observers. A retired bureaucrat familiar with Odisha’s past poll operations remarked, “If the BJP allegedly stole votes in 2024, it occurred under an electoral framework designed and managed by the BJD for over two decades.”
Fact Checking the Allegations
To date, no concrete evidence of large-scale manipulation has been presented to the Election Commission by the BJD or Congress. Given that the BJD controlled the state police, bureaucracy, and district administrations until just weeks before the counting process, political analysts argue it would be improbable for any major electoral fraud to transpire without their knowledge.
The “vote chori” debate may be the latest weapon in Odisha’s political contest, but history demonstrates that allegations of electoral gamesmanship have been a bipartisan tradition in the state. For 24 years, opposition parties have accused the BJD of using its dominance to manipulate the electoral process. Now, with the tables turned, those same accusations are being directed at the BJP, serving as a reminder that in Odisha politics, yesterday’s accuser can quickly become today’s accuser.
