Odisha Election 2019: Congress, BJD and BJP Prepare Candidate Lists

Political parties in Odisha have started choosing candidates for the 2019 assembly election amid talk of early polls. Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik said the party aimed to release its first list of 50 assembly candidates once its election committee cleared them, and it is set to name at least 50 by August 31. The BJD, which governs the state, and the BJP are getting ready as well.

Congress moves first

Sources said the Congress could ask its chosen candidates to start work in their constituencies from the first or second week of September, though the party declined to comment. The Congress, which has drawn attention for a revival under Patnaik, has been the most active of the three. Its selection process could finish by the end of August, and there is speculation that it is naming candidates early to stop leaders from defecting.

BJD’s dilemma

Candidate selection is seen as the biggest challenge for the ruling BJD, which could face anti-incumbency. Sources said the leadership was using internal surveys and party calculations, and that MLAs facing corruption allegations, those who had not carried out the party’s agenda, or those who had lost popularity could be dropped. The list of such MLAs is said to be long. BJD spokesperson Debasish Samantaray said the party could not share details and that only party president Naveen Patnaik would make the final announcement.

BJP’s shortlist

The BJP, which has been preparing since last year, has shortlisted 60 candidates, but faces internal rivalries and a shortage of strong candidates. State general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said tickets would be decided soon using public perception, survey findings and other inputs.

What happened next

In the 2019 Odisha assembly election, the Biju Janata Dal won 112 seats, the BJP 23 and the Congress 9, and Naveen Patnaik remained chief minister.

See also: Elections

Originally published on 23 August 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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