A New Era for BJD: Revival of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC)
Naveen Patnaik Restructures BJD, Reinstates Political Affairs Committee within Party Structure
After five consecutive terms as the Odisha Chief Minister and nine times as BJD president, Naveen Patnaik has shaken up the regional party with the revival of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), a decision-making body that steers the party's political course.
Initially established, the PAC later became inactive. However, its return post-2024 elections signifies strategic reevaluation and reorientation for the BJD, which has been an instrumental player in Odisha's politics since 2000[1].
The PAC, composed of high-ranking party leaders like Bikram Keshari Arukh, Pramila Mallick, Niranjan Pujari, and others, will be led by Mr. Patnaik. The committee's goal is to strategize political decisions, foster alliances, and bolster the party's electoral prospects.
As a key component of the BJD's mission to advance Odisha's development while upholding secularism and supporting vulnerable populations[2], the PAC plays a pivotal role in aligning party policies with these objectives.
The resurrection of the PAC can serve several purposes:
- Regrouping after Defeat: Following the BJD’s loss in the 2024 Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the PAC is essential in reassessing strategies and rectifying the party’s course to recapture public trust and electoral support.
- Internal Harmony: Reviving the PAC also allows the party to address any internal conflicts that may have ensued, ensuring unity among members and leaders in the pursuit of common goals.
- Future Strategic Planning: The PAC enables the BJD to systematically plan its political campaigns, alliances, and engagements with other stakeholders, thus laying the groundwork for a strong showing in upcoming elections.
Overall, the BJD’s revitalization of the PAC demonstrates a proactive approach to enhancing the party's position and effectiveness in Odisha's political arena.
- Naveen Patnaik, as the BJD president, decided to revive the defunct Political Affairs Committee (PAC) to steer the party's political course, following the 2024 Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
- The PAC, made up of high-ranking BJD leaders such as Bikram Keshari Arukh, Pramila Mallick, Niranjan Pujari, among others, will focus on strategizing political decisions, fostering alliances, and boosting the party's electoral prospects.
- The PAC's goal aligns with the BJD's mission of advancing Odisha's development while upholding secularism and supporting vulnerable populations.
- The revival of the PAC post-2024 elections is crucial for regrouping after defeat, addressing internal conflicts, and planning future political campaigns to recapture public trust and ensure a strong showing in upcoming elections.
