Thu Mar 27 06:47:12 UTC 2025: ## Odisha Congress Stages Strong Comeback Bid Amidst Political Upheaval

**Bhubaneswar, March 27, 2025** – The Odisha Congress is making a concerted effort to reclaim its political standing, capitalizing on the weakened positions of both the ruling BJP and the previously dominant BJD. While senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s claim of the party being the main opposition is considered premature by some, recent events suggest a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.

The Congress’s aggressive protests in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, including disruptions and symbolic actions like wearing black and beating gongs, have garnered considerable attention. These protests, focused on the alarming rise in crimes against women, have put pressure on the BJP government. OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das highlighted a dramatic increase in missing women and children and cases of violence against women since the BJP came to power.

This assertive strategy, coupled with a more unified media presence under Mr. Das, is seen as a calculated move to project the Congress as a viable alternative. However, the party acknowledges significant organizational challenges, including a recent electoral setback, a lengthy vacancy in the OPCC presidency, and insufficient funding. While strong in southern districts, the Congress remains weaker in coastal and western Odisha.

The BJP, despite holding a comfortable majority in the Assembly, is navigating governance with a relatively inexperienced ministerial team. Meanwhile, the BJD, now the principal opposition, struggles to adapt to its new role outside of power. The absence of Naveen Patnaik from public life has weakened the party’s organizational strength, creating an opening for the Congress.

Mr. Das outlined plans for future mobilization, including identifying rising party figures and potentially a major statewide padyatra to energize the party’s grassroots structure. While the road ahead is challenging, the Congress’s recent actions demonstrate a determined bid to reposition itself as a major force in Odisha’s political arena.

Read More