As the curtains draw on 2025, Odisha’s political landscape tells a tale of dramatic shifts, unexpected turns, and power dynamics redefined. From the BJP’s consolidation of power to seismic defections and a suspended opposition, the state witnessed it all. Odisha also saw a sharpened bipolar contest—between the ruling party’s push for rapid development and investment, and the opposition’s relentless scrutiny on governance, law and order, and delivery of promises. Here’s a look back at the defining moments that shaped Odisha’s eventful year.
BJP’s Odisha Odyssey: One Year of Power
The outgoing year 2025 was indeed the first complete calendar year under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The BJP assumed power in June 2024 after ending the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)’s 24-year rule, making 2025 a period of consolidation, policy implementation, and political testing for the new administration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the celebrations marking the first anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha. The main state-level function was held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar. lthough the government officially completed one year on June 12, 2025 (swearing-in date in 2024), the grand celebration was scheduled for June 20 to accommodate PM Modi’s visit. On the sidelines, PM Modi participated in a roadshow and Tiranga Yatra from the airport, and addressed a massive public gathering. He praised the Majhi government’s achievements, calling it an “anniversary of good governance, public service, and public trust.”
Suspension of All Congress MLAs: A Defining Moment in Odisha Politics
The year began with a bang, marked by the unprecedented suspension of all 14 Congress MLAs from the Odisha Legislative Assembly in March, for the first time in political history of Odisha. The move, sparked by protests over alleged crimes against women, sent shockwaves through the state’s politics. The Congress MLAs had been staging protests since early March, demanding a House Committee to investigate the alleged rise in crimes against women under the BJP government. Their methods – wearing black attire, blowing whistles, and beating gongs – disrupted the Assembly proceedings, leading Speaker Surama Padhy to suspend all MLAs, including Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, for seven days.
BJD’s Loss, BJP’s Gain: Jay Dholakia’s Dramatic Switch
Jay Dholakia, the son of former minister and senior BJD leader Rajendra Dholakia, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), quitting BJD, and subsequently won the Nuapada assembly by-election on BJP ticket with a massive margin, marking one of the major political developments in Odisha in 2025. The by-election was triggered by the death of sitting BJD MLA and former minister Rajendra Dholakia (Jay’s father) on September 8, 2025. On October 11, 2025, Jay Dholakia—widely expected to be the BJD’s candidate—joined the BJP in Bhubaneswar. He was welcomed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy CM KV Singh Deo, and state BJP president Manmohan Samal. This was described as a “major setback” for the BJD and a strategic boost for the ruling BJP.
Nuapada by-election; A game changer
The Nuapada Assembly by-election had become a cynosure of all eyes in the year 2025. The by-election necessitated after the demise of sitting MLA BJD’s Rajendra Dholakia was held in November 2025, marking the first electoral test for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government since it came to power in June 2024. A major blow came in the Nuapada assembly by-election (November), where the BJP candidate won decisively, relegating BJD to third place and signaling weakening grassroots support. The by-poll had turned out to be a talk of the town after Rajendra Dholakia’s son, who was preparing to contest on BJD ticket, switched dramatically to BJP. With the saffron front support, he won with a massive margin. The constituency has approximately 2.53 lakh voters and is part of the tribal-dominated Nuapada district.
Amar Patnaik’s Strategic Switch to BJP
In a major political shake-up, Dr. Amar Patnaik, a prominent BJD leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, joined the BJP on November 3, dealing a significant blow to the opposition party. Patnaik, who served as head of BJD’s IT & Social Media Cell, cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and vision for nation-building as reasons for his switch. He described the move as a “life-changing” and “watershed moment” in his political journey. The defection came on the same day BJD president Naveen Patnaik launched his campaign in Nuapada, and was widely seen as a major jolt to the BJD, already reeling from its 2024 electoral defeat.
