Naveen Patnaik shifts stance on national parties, ends calculated distance

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has historically maintained a strategy of political independence, keeping his Biju Janata Dal (BJD) at arm's length from both the BJP and Congress. This careful balancing act allowed him to govern without heavy dependence on national parties while extracting resources and autonomy for Odisha.

In recent developments, Patnaik's approach has shifted markedly. The BJD has moved closer to national political players, marking a departure from decades of calculated political distance. This realignment reflects changing dynamics in state politics and evolving equations at the national level.