October Heats Up as Political Giants Woo Odisha’s Villages

BJP, BJD, and Congress set the stage for a fierce rural showdown as Odisha gears up for October’s panchayat poll campaigns

By OdishaConnect On Oct 2, 2025

Congress Kicks Off with Gandhi Jayanti Padayatra

The Congress party will launch its campaign with a padayatra on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, focusing primarily on Malkangiri district. The party’s strategy is to highlight the security lapses in Odisha, which they attribute to the BJP’s negligence. Their demand centers around organizing a public march against the ruling coalition, projecting themselves as the true protectors of people’s rights and safety.

BJD’s Campaign on Women’s Safety and Panchayat Power

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will officially roll out its campaign on October 9, continuing until November 9. The party’s messaging will revolve around women’s safety, law and order, and the empowerment of panchayat representatives. Throughout their one-month campaign trail, the BJD will spotlight what they call the developmental failures of the BJP’s double-engine government, positioning themselves as the party of grassroots empowerment and social security.

BJP Bets on Senior Leaders and Modi’s Governance Model

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen to rely on its senior leadership to champion the achievements of the Modi government. Their key highlight will be the implementation of GST 2.0, which they present as a milestone in governance and economic ease. Through press conferences and extensive village visits, the BJP aims to reinforce the benefits of the double-engine model of governance, countering criticisms raised by the opposition.

October: A Month of Political Ideological Clash

Although the general elections took place 15 months ago, the approaching panchayat polls have reenergized Odisha’s political battleground. With Congress emphasizing security, BJD rallying on social justice, and BJP pushing developmental achievements, the villages of Odisha are set to witness an intense political competition. October promises to be a festival of ideologies, promises, and political duels, shaping the rural narrative before the polls.