Why BJP chose Odisha CM Mohan Majhi As Its Tribal Face In Bengal Battle

Until June 2024, Majhi remained relatively unknown in the national political landscape. His elevation as Odisha’s Chief Minister after the BJP’s historic victory in the state surprised many, particularly because several senior and more established leaders were seen as frontrunners for the post. Yet, the BJP leadership chose the soft-spoken tribal leader from Keonjhar, signalling a calibrated political message: the party was willing to entrust governance to leaders emerging from humble socio-economic backgrounds.

Nearly a year later, Majhi’s political stock appears to be steadily rising within the party organisation and among the masses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have repeatedly praised Odisha’s governance model under Majhi, particularly its outreach-driven administration and emphasis on welfare delivery at the grassroots level.

Majhi’s governance style — marked by direct public interaction, frequent district visits and attempts to project an accessible administration — has earned him the image of a “People’s Chief Minister.” BJP insiders believe the leadership sees in him a relatable and politically marketable face capable of resonating beyond Odisha.

The BJP’s growing confidence in Majhi became particularly visible during the recent political developments in West Bengal. As the party sought to expand its social and political footprint in Bengal, Majhi was deployed as one of its campaign faces, especially in regions with a significant Odia-speaking population.

Political observers note that Odisha’s improving infrastructure, industrial growth, healthcare facilities and educational institutions have increasingly drawn people from neighbouring Bengal. Thousands of patients from West Bengal routinely travel to Odisha for treatment, while students and workers have also migrated to the state in search of educational and employment opportunities.

This migration has inadvertently helped create a comparative political narrative. Many Bengalis who witnessed Odisha’s development first-hand carried back stories of administrative transformation, industrial expansion and infrastructure growth. In northern parts of West Bengal, where a sizeable Odia population resides, the BJP appears to have leveraged this sentiment effectively.

Recognising the emotional and cultural connect, the BJP strategically fielded Majhi in the Bengal campaign on multiple occasions. Of the six Assembly constituencies where he actively campaigned, the BJP reportedly secured victory in five — further reinforcing perceptions within the party that the Odisha Chief Minister possesses cross-border political appeal.

Majhi’s presence also energised lakhs of Odias settled in Bengal for generations, many of whom retain strong cultural and emotional ties with Odisha. His speeches frequently invoked Jagannath, a deity revered deeply not only in Odisha but also among Bengali Hindus.

The BJP further underlined Majhi’s growing stature by appointing him co-observer for the election of the BJP Legislature Party leader in Bengal. The move was widely interpreted as a sign of trust from the central leadership and an indication that Majhi is being groomed for a larger political role in eastern India.

During the campaign, Majhi sharpened his attacks on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of pursuing “appeasement politics” and alleging that the construction of the Jagannath Temple at Digha was aimed more at political optics than spiritual commitment.

He also highlighted the coordinated efforts of BJP leaders and workers from Odisha, West Bengal and the central leadership in ensuring the party’s electoral gains in the neighbouring state.

Political analysts believe the BJP’s projection of Majhi carries a deeper ideological and electoral message. By elevating a relatively lesser-known tribal leader from a modest background to one of the country’s most significant constitutional positions, the party seeks to reinforce its narrative of social mobility and inclusive representation.

After President Droupadi Murmu — who hails from Odisha’s Santhal tribal community — and senior tribal leader Jual Oram, Majhi is increasingly being viewed as the next influential tribal political face from Odisha with a growing national profile.

“For the BJP, his rise represents more than a regional success story. It reflects the party’s larger attempt to build a new generation of grassroots leaders capable of reshaping politics in eastern India through welfare-centric governance, cultural symbolism and social representation,” says Srirma Dash, a political analyst.