Bhubaneswar: In a noteworthy transformation of the political atmosphere at Naveen Niwas, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Supremo Naveen Patnaik has signaled a fresh era of transparency and direct engagement.
In a significant departure from the once-guarded atmosphere of the BJD power center, Naveen Niwas witnessed a high-stakes 40-minute one-on-one meeting between party Supremo Naveen Patnaik and veteran leader Anang Uday Singh Deo on January 23, 2026.
While Shri Singh Deo emerged with a characteristic smile and a refusal to disclose specifics, the meeting has sent a powerful signal across Odisha’s political landscape: the era of restricted access is over.
Insiders reveal that the BJD Supremo is now actively seeking to bypass intermediaries to listen directly to facts about the current field situation. Sources suggest that during the session, Shri Patnaik was particularly eager to gather raw feedback on the political pulse in Western Odisha and the fallout of recent internal friction.
Sources close to the establishment indicate that the BJD Big Boss is now exceptionally eager to meet with leaders across the board to gather unfiltered facts about the field situation.
While the Naveen Niwas was once perceived as a bastion of restricted access, insiders now emphasize that anyone seeking to meet Shri Patnaik will find the doors significantly more open than in previous years.
This newfound accessibility appears to be part of a broader strategy to reconnect with the grassroots. Following a series of high-profile consultative meetings with dozens of MLAs over the last fortnight, Shri Patnaik is reportedly prioritizing direct feedback to counter the internal friction that recently led to the suspension of leaders like Arvind Mohapatra and Sanatan Mahakud.
During the discussion with Shri Singh Deo, the BJD Supremo reportedly spent a considerable amount of time listening rather than speaking, showing a marked interest in the genuine grievances of party workers and the shifting loyalties in regional pockets.
Observers suggest this “open-door” policy is a calculated move to bypass bureaucratic layers and address the “anti-party activity” concerns that have plagued the organization since the 2024 transition to the opposition.
By encouraging leaders to present the ground reality without hesitation, Shri Patnaik aims to solidify the party’s internal structure ahead of the upcoming municipal and local body elections.
The veteran Shri Singh Deo’s upbeat mood after the meeting further fuels the belief that the BJD leadership is finally bridging the gap between the top brass and the field cadre.