BJD Succession Debate: Leaders Clash Over Kalikesh Singh Deo’s Future Role
The succession debate within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has taken a sharp turn after Junagarh MLA Captain Dibyashankar Mishra openly endorsed Bolangir MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo as a potential successor to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Mishra highlighted Kalikesh’s capability and family legacy, sparking fresh discussions about the party’s future leadership.
However, senior leaders Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo and Ganeswar Behera strongly opposed the idea, dismissing dynastic succession as “feudal thinking.” They emphasised that leadership should be determined by merit and collective party decision-making rather than family lineage.
Kalikesh himself downplayed the speculation, reiterating that Naveen Patnaik remains the undisputed leader of BJD.
He stressed that the party’s focus should remain on development in Western Odisha and across the state.
The timing of Mishra’s remarks has drawn attention, particularly after Kalikesh’s father, veteran leader AU Singh Deo, met Naveen Patnaik.
While Naveen has consistently maintained that the people of Odisha will decide his successor, the direct endorsement of Kalikesh has reignited internal debate and highlighted the tension between regional aspirations and resistance to dynastic politics.
