New Delhi: Regional Political Party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is leaning towards Congress as a significant shift in political equations becomes visible in the Rajya Sabha. This change was highlighted on March 9, 2026, when BJD MPs joined the Congress-led INDIA alliance in a walkout from the house. This marks the first time since the Narendra Modi government took power that BJD has supported the stance of Congress MPs in such a manner.
The immediate reason for this cooperation is the Rajya Sabha election, where the BJD, Congress, and CPI(M) have announced a joint candidate, Dr. Datteswar Hota. By supporting this candidate, the BJD is now working shoulder-to-shoulder with Congress in Parliament. The walkout occurred after Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan declined a proposal from Opposition Leader Shri Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the impact of the West Asia war on the Indian economy and energy security.
While the BJD’s alignment with the opposition Congress suggests a changing political equation within the state of Odisha, it remains unclear if this partnership is a permanent strategic shift or a temporary tactical necessity driven by the requirements of the Rajya Sabha election. The future of this alliance will likely depend on whether the BJD continues to find common ground with the INDIA bloc beyond the current electoral cycle.
BJD leaning towards Congress is a central theme in recent political discussions, particularly following a candid admission by Shri Santrupt Mishra, the political secretary to Biju Janata Dal Supremo Naveen Patnaik. Shri Mishra openly acknowledged that the BJD has entered into a temporary deal with the Congress specifically for the Rajya Sabha elections. He clarified that this is a short-term understanding driven by the fact that Congress lacked the necessary numbers to send a candidate to the Upper House on its own, leading them to support the common candidate proposed by Shri Patnaik.
Political analysts suggest that this statement has essentially exposed the BJD’s strategic shift and its willingness to coordinate with its traditional rival to counter the BJP’s growing influence. By admitting to a deal, the party has moved away from its long-standing policy of maintaining equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress. Critics argue that this transparency confirms a tactical alliance that was previously only a matter of speculation, signaling a major realignment in Odisha’s political circles.