In a symbolic gesture aimed at highlighting what it perceives as the entrenched "unity" between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the Congress party orchestrated a theatrical event in Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar, where a mock wedding ceremony between the two political entities was staged.
This mock "marriage" spectacle unfolded amidst the bustling Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, where the Congress party, asserting a longstanding alliance between the BJP and BJD spanning over two and a half decades, sought to underscore their mutual political backing.
During this whimsical enactment, a priest conducted a ceremonial fire ritual, symbolizing the purportedly cozy political alliance between the two parties.
Addressing the gathering, student Congress leader Yasser Nawaj remarked, "In Odisha, we don't recognize informal associations. Hence, it seemed fitting to solemnize their relationship through marriage, thus revealing their true political affiliation to the public eye."
Echoing this sentiment, Ajoy Kumar, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief, emphasized the BJP's and BJD's symbiotic relationship, portraying the latter as not only a partner but also a flagship representative of the former's ideology.
In response to the Congress's satirical jibe, BJP representative Biranchi Tripathy dismissed the gesture as an act of political delusion, while BJD's Bhupindar Singh remained unfazed, asserting that such tactics would have minimal impact on the electorate's sentiments.
This tongue-in-cheek matrimonial satire mirrors a similar event that unfolded in Telangana ahead of the previous year's assembly elections, indicating a trend of theatrical political commentary gaining traction in the Indian political landscape.
Beyond the theatrical spectacle, the Odisha Congress has embarked on a proactive 20-day-long Jana Sampark Bus Yatra, commencing on January 21, traversing through all 147 assembly constituencies within the state, showcasing a strategic effort to engage with voters on grassroots levels.
