June 11, 2025, marks one year of BJP rule in Odisha—a timeframe sufficient to evaluate governance and development. However, the lack of effective policy implementation and economic growth reveals a government failing to deliver on its promises. The BJP rose to power by blaming over two decades of BJD rule for the state’s stagnation, promising that a "double engine" government—where both the state and central governments are controlled by the BJP—would streamline decision-making and accelerate development.
Yet, the BJP’s governance in Odisha has proved to be an illusion. The administration functions with inefficiency reminiscent of an inactive student union, once known for greater accountability and responsiveness. The promise of a robust development model has become hollow rhetoric, serving only to reinforce political control rather than bring progress. Hindutva-driven policies have failed to address key developmental needs, exposing the “double engine” narrative as deceptive propaganda rather than a transformative agenda.
The erosion of law and order further highlights governance failures. Odisha ranks eighth in the country for per capita crime rate growth, with a 3.8% increase. Cases of violent crimes, including rape, have surged, while incidents of theft and burglary continue to rise. Crime is a symptom of systemic socio-economic deprivation, reflecting the government’s inability to foster equitable opportunities and security. The administration’s failure to control escalating criminal activities underscores its broader ineffectiveness.
A lack of coherent policy direction has rendered the BJP leadership incapable of advancing economic growth. The government’s inefficiency has resulted in underutilized central funds, prompting a significant reduction in financial allocations from the Union government—contradicting the very premise of a centrally aligned governance model. Odisha’s exclusion from vital federal development schemes mirrors historic patterns of neglect, exposing the myth of cooperative governance under BJP rule. While the corporate sector benefits from streamlined federal policies, marginalized communities continue to suffer.
Budget cuts to housing and welfare programs targeting Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste populations have further deepened social inequities. The BJP’s governance model has exacerbated economic marginalization rather than alleviating hardships. The so-called “double engine” government has not uplifted vulnerable communities but rather entrenched deception, reflecting broader failures in Hindutva-led administrations across India.
Critical sectors such as health and education are in crisis. Educational institutions face acute shortages of qualified teachers, while hospitals lack essential medical staff and infrastructure. The government’s neglect has left public services underfunded, worsening living conditions across the state.
The BJP-led administration under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has failed to address core issues affecting tribals, Dalits, women, students, and the rural workforce. Instead of tackling unemployment and poverty, governance priorities have skewed toward facilitating corporate control over Odisha’s rich mineral resources. In a symbolic yet troubling move, the responsibility for social welfare has been offloaded onto cultural sentiments tied to Lord Jagannath and Odia identity. This appropriation of religious and cultural narratives serves to mask governmental failures while undermining the very ethos of Lord Jagannath, a symbol of the people’s struggle.
One year into its tenure, BJP rule in Odisha has revealed itself as a continuation of political deceit rather than meaningful reform. As failures mount, the prospect of four more years under Hindutva politics suggests a worsening crisis. The people of Odisha must consider alternative political solutions that prioritize equitable development, human dignity, and genuine progress over hollow rhetoric and centralized control. Hindutva-led governance has shown itself incapable of serving the working masses, making the need for transformative change more urgent than ever.
Comments