Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Odisha’s Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, departed for a four-day visit to New Delhi on September 7, 2025, just days before the vice-presidential election on September 9. The trip, which follows a recent phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi inquiring about Patnaik’s health, has sparked speculation about the BJD’s stance in the high-stakes poll, as the party weighs its options between supporting the NDA, the INDIA bloc, or abstaining entirely.

Patnaik’s visit comes on the heels of a strategic meeting with senior BJD leaders and the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) on Saturday evening in Bhubaneswar. The discussions focused on the BJD’s role in the vice-presidential election, especially in light of its new position as the opposition in Odisha after losing power in the 2024 state elections. In a post on X, Patnaik emphasized the BJD’s commitment to “protecting the interests of the people of Odisha” and highlighted plans to intensify outreach to expose the state government’s “incompetence.”

With seven Rajya Sabha MPs, the BJD holds a pivotal vote in the vice-presidential race. The party faces three choices: backing NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan, supporting INDIA bloc’s B Sudershan Reddy, or abstaining from the polls. A senior BJD leader hinted that Patnaik might announce a “surprise” decision during his Delhi visit, despite the party’s stated policy of maintaining equal distance from both the NDA and INDIA blocs. Party sources also suggested Patnaik may undergo a health check-up and meet with BJD MPs to finalize the party’s strategy.

Also Read: Naveen Patnaik Stable, Set for Hospital Discharge Today

Historically, the BJD’s vice-presidential voting record has varied. It abstained in 2012, supported non-NDA candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi in 2017, and backed NDA’s Jagdeep Dhankar in 2022. The party’s decision this time could signal its broader political alignment as it navigates its opposition role in Odisha.

Patnaik’s trip, prompted in part by Modi’s personal invitation, has added intrigue to the election’s buildup. As the BJD weighs its options, all eyes are on whether Patnaik will tilt the scales in the vice-presidential race or opt for a neutral stance, potentially reshaping political dynamics in Odisha and beyond.

Also Read: BJD Challenges ECI, Heads to Court Over Vote Fraud