Naveen Patnaiks full-circle moment: The former chief minister uses his old strategy to oppose the BJP

Former Odisha Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, is once again relying on a strategy that defined much of his 24-year tenure—positioning himself as the defender of Odisha’s interests against decisions taken by the Centre. After losing power to the BJP in 2024, Patnaik has increasingly focused on state-centric issues such as delimitation, parliamentary representation, the Mahanadi water dispute, and law-and-order concerns to challenge the BJP government in Odisha. Political observers describe this as a “full-circle moment” because Patnaik used a similar approach in the past to build and strengthen the Biju Janata Dal. By emphasizing Odisha’s regional identity and portraying himself as the protector of the state's interests, he successfully maintained political dominance for over two decades. Now, as the BJP governs Odisha under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik appears to be reviving the same formula from the opposition benches.

In recent weeks, Patnaik has criticized the BJP government over the handling of the Mahanadi river dispute, expressed concerns about proposals that could reduce Odisha’s representation in Parliament, and raised questions about governance and public safety. These interventions indicate a shift from his traditionally restrained style toward a more active opposition role aimed at reconnecting with voters and rebuilding the BJD’s political momentum.