Bhubaneswa; October 17: The victory of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-backed student organisation at NC Autonomous College in Jajpur has triggered a fresh political discussion in the district, with young supporters voicing the slogan, “Bobby is back like a tiger.” The result has boosted the morale of BJD workers and renewed debate over the party’s organisational strength among students and young voters after a gap of eight years in campus elections. The victory is being viewed by BJD supporters as an encouraging sign for the party’s student wing and its efforts to consolidate its grassroots network in Jajpur. NC Autonomous College is one of the prominent educational institutions in the district, and its student union election has drawn considerable attention amid a keen contest among student organisations. The outcome has prompted discussions about the continuing influence of local political leaders and the ability of established parties to mobilise young voters. At the centre of the discussion is senior BJD leader Pranab Prakash Das, popularly known as Bobby Das. A three-time MLA from Jajpur, he represented the constituency in 2009, 2014 and 2019. He later served as the BJD’s organisational secretary and played a significant role in the party’s organisational activities. Although he contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Sambalpur and lost, his political standing and network in Jajpur continue to be discussed by party workers and supporters. BJD supporters believe that the student election results could help energise the party’s grassroots organisation and reconnect it with younger sections of society. They see the outcome at NC Autonomous College, along with the reported success of BJD-backed candidates at Sadhu Charan College, as a source of encouragement for the party in the district. For them, the slogan about Bobby’s return reflects confidence in his leadership and the party’s capacity to remain politically relevant. Jajpur has long been an important political base for the BJD. During the party’s years in government, several development initiatives in the district, including the establishment of Jajpur Medical College and Hospital and infrastructure projects, became part of its political narrative. Supporters of Mr. Das often associate his political career with the district’s development and organisational expansion. However, the extent to which these factors will influence future electoral contests remains to be seen.
The student union election comes at a time when political parties are seeking to strengthen their connections with young voters. Campus elections provide an opportunity for student organisations to demonstrate their local influence, but their outcomes do not necessarily translate into similar results in Assembly or parliamentary elections. Candidate popularity, campus-specific concerns and the performance of student organisations can all shape the results. For the BJD, the NC Autonomous College victory offers a morale boost and an opportunity to strengthen its student network. For Mr. Das’s supporters, the result has revived a familiar political slogan and renewed speculation about his role in the party’s future strategy in Jajpur. Whether the campus victory marks a broader revival of the BJD’s organisational influence in the district will become clearer through its activities and performance in the coming months.
