As the INDIA bloc parties gave notices demanding a discussion on the NEET issue, the BJD MPs also joined the protest and trooped in the Well of the House.

"The BJP will form a double-engine government here after elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024," PM Modi said at the Berhampur rally.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has recently released its fifth list of candidates for the upcoming Odisha Assembly elections in 2024. The announcement included a significant development with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik set to contest from the Kantabanji seat, in addition to his traditional Hinjili seat. This decision underscores the importance the BJD places on Kantabanji for this election cycle.

Samantsinghar, a former vice president of the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who recently joined the BJD, becomes the seventh woman candidate nominated for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Bhrugu Baxipatra & Pradeep Panigrahy belonged to their opponent’s party before changing turfs.

General Secretary of BJD Pranab Prakash Das will contest against Union Education Minister and BJP’s face from Odisha Dharmendra Pradhan in Lok Sabha polls.

Along with MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, former BJD MP Sidhant Mohapatra and noted Santhali language litterateur Damayanti Beshra, who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2020, also joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, party national vice president Baijayant Jay Panda, party’s Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal and other senior leaders.

Despite challenges from its former ally, the BJP, which has expanded its influence, and the Congress, which is currently in third place, the BJD remains the dominant force.

While the BJD sought to contest from over 100 seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly, it is not acceptable to the BJP, sources in the saffron camp claimed.

“I welcome Arabinda Mohaptra to the Biju Janata Dal. You (Arabinda) work hard for the development of the Kendrapara district. He is the son of Bijoy Babu," Patnaik said during a programme at his residence. 

Jairam Ramesh said, "We've always been saying that the BJD and the BJP are two sides of the same coin. The BJD has always supported the BJP in Parliament and whatever opposition the two show to each other in the state is merely shadow boxing."  

Dhali was first elected to the assembly from the Malkangiri seat in a by-election in 1992 on a BJP ticket. He retained the seat for two consecutive terms.