Bhubaneswar, March 31 -- Discerning readers would have noticed a change in the content of BJD posters and banners in the last few days. Biju Patnaik, the man after whom the party is named, has made a triumphant return after going missing for several months. Instead, it is now the turn of VK Pandian, who had usurped his place for quite some time, to go missing from party posters. Party supremo Naveen Patnaik, of course, retains his place.

On the face of it, the change may appear rather trivial. But it is the most definitive indicator of a change of tack and a bid for course correction on the part of the ruling party. It seems the supremo - and maybe even his Man Friday - has realized that Pandian's picture on posters is doing more harm th...