By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: Basant Panda, a senior BJP leader and former MP from Kalahandi (2019-2024), former Odisha BJP state president, and two-time MLA from Nuapada (2000 and 2014), is not currently a threat to the BJP in the context of the ongoing Nuapada Assembly bye-election.
While he has faced internal sidelining—evident from not receiving the party’s ticket for the 2024 elections (where he was replaced in Kalahandi) or for this bypoll despite initial discussions and efforts by BJP leaders to convince him to contest—Panda has maintained loyalty and avoided any actions that could undermine the party.
Panda has a strong grassroots base in the region, having represented it as MLA and contributed to BJP’s growth in western Odisha. Supporters see him as a local heavyweight (“Messi” of the party in the area), and his past electoral performance (e.g., family-linked votes in 2024) underscores his relevance.This “factor” could theoretically pose a risk if he rebelled, such as by running independently or criticizing the party, potentially splitting votes in a tight three-way contest.
Described as “down but not out,” Panda’s current status reflects marginalization by BJP’s central and state leadership, including limited roles in campaigns or decision-making for the bypoll.
Despite BJP’s attempts to persuade him to run (citing his winning potential), the ticket went to Jay Dholkia, a recent defector from BJD leveraging sympathy over his father’s death.This decision could have bred discontent, but no public fallout has occurred.
Panda has participated in the party’s core committee meetings for bypoll strategy, emphasizing unity, consensus on candidates, and confidence in victory through welfare schemes like Subhadra Yojana He has publicly appealed to Nuapada voters to elect Jay Dholkia, framing the bypoll as a winnable seat under BJP’s governance. His network continues to mobilize indirectly, providing passive or mild beneficial support without formal assignment.
Analyses from party insiders and commentaries confirm Panda’s loyalty prevents disruption; he has refrained from rebellion, criticism of leaders like CM Mohan Charan Majhi, or actions that could harm BJP’s image in its first bypoll since forming the government. Instead, his resilience and local clout position him as a potential asset for future roles, with no signs of vote-splitting or negative campaigning.
In summary, the Basant Panda factor represents untapped or underutilized influence within BJP rather than a threat. His continued alignment bolsters the party’s efforts in Nuapada, where BJP holds a slight edge due to ruling advantages and Dholkia’s sympathy wave, though the race remains close. If anything, sidelining him risks minor internal murmurs, but it hasn’t materialized into a liability as of October 17, 2025.
In a rebellion during the 2024 polls, Panda could split the BJP’s vote bank in western Odisha. For instance, if he ran independently in Kalahandi, it might have diluted the saffron party’s margins, potentially handing an advantage to the BJD or Congress.
The BJP won 8 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha in 2019 and 2024 combined, a gain from previous cycles—any vote split could jeopardize seats in tight races. In Nuapada, his home turf, a rebellion might have caused the BJP to lose the Assembly segment, affecting the party’s overall tally in the state Assembly (where BJP formed the government in 2024 with 78 seats).
Panda’s actual track record shows loyalty to the BJP, and recent reconciliations suggest he’s prioritizing party unity over personal grievances. For real-time updates on Odisha politics, including the Nuapada bypoll, checking official election commission sources or party statements would provide the latest developments.
