Jayanarayan Mishra

• Artatran Mishra (father)

Jayanarayan Mishra
Member Of Odisha Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 June 2024
Education	Bachelor of Arts
Profession	Agriculturist
Source:

Jayanarayan Mishra (born 10 June 1963) is an Indian politician from Odisha, affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is a senior leader in the Odisha Legislative Assembly and has represented the Sambalpur constituency five times. ^{[1] [2]} Mishra has held various key positions, including Minister of Commerce & Transport and Leader of the Opposition ^{[3] [4]} in the Odisha Assembly.

Early Life and Education

Jayanarayan Mishra was born on 10 June 1963 ^[5] in Sambalpur, Odisha. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from NAC College, Burla. Coming from a family involved in agriculture, Mishra has maintained close ties with rural and social service activities throughout his career.

Political career

Mishra began his political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Party and was first elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Sambalpur constituency in 2000. Since then, he has been re-elected multiple times, establishing himself as a prominent leader in the region.

Ministerial Role

He served as the Minister of Commerce & Transport in the Odisha government during the BJD–BJP coalition government headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Leader of the Opposition

In 2022, Jayanarayan Mishra was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, representing the BJP. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Controversies

Alleged Misconduct with Police Officer

In 2023, Mishra was involved in a controversy when an FIR was filed against him for alleged misconduct with a police officer. ^{[9] [10]} Mishra denied the allegations. The case attracted significant media attention in Odisha.

Remarks on Odisha State Song and Regional Identity

In 2025, Mishra sparked political controversy by questioning the state song "Bande Utkal Janani," arguing that it praises only the Utkal region and neglects other regions like Koshal and Kalinga. He suggested renaming it "Bande Odisha Janani" to represent all 30 districts. The opposition criticized his comments, ^[11] which led to a clarification from the Odisha government distancing itself from his views, stating they were his personal opinions. ^[12]

In April 2025, Mishra’s daughter stirred political controversy by sitting through the Odisha state song during a public event. ^[13] Some political groups saw this as disrespectful, further fueling tensions around regional identity issues. ^[14]

Statement on Merger of Koshal with Odisha

Mishra further ignited controversy by calling the merger of the western Odisha region Koshal with the state a "historic blunder," ^[15] claiming the region has been neglected and exploited in various sectors. This statement led to protests and disruptions in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, with opposition parties accusing him of promoting divisive ideas and undermining Odisha’s unity. The BJD demanded an apology and urged the BJP leadership to take a clear stance on his remarks.

Incident of Abusing Police Officer

In April 2025, Mishra was involved in a controversy for allegedly abusing a police officer ^[16] in Sambalpur and threatening to set a police station on fire, ^[17] which attracted media attention and criticism.

References

1. "Jayanarayan Mishra bags Sambalpur seat". The New Indian Express. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
2. "चौथी बार संबलपुर से जीते जय नारायण मिश्र". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 1 November 2022.
3. "Sambalpur MLA Is Leader Of Opposition". The Times of India. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
4. "BJP leader Jaynarayan Mishra appointed as leader of opposition in Odisha Assembly". India Today. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
5. "Shri Jayanarayan Mishra". Odisha Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
6. Barik, Satyasundar (30 July 2022). "BJP's Jai Narayan Mishra appointed new leader of opposition in Odisha Assembly". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 1 November 2022.
7. "Odisha Assembly: BJP's Jayanarayan Mishra elected as leader of opposition". The New Indian Express. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
8. "Jayanarayan named Leader of Opp". The Pioneer. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
9. "Jayanarayan Mishra's Attack on Woman IIC: OPSA condemns, seeks stringent action". Kalinga TV.
10. "Case against Odisha BJP leader for assaulting on-duty woman cop, he denies". The Indian Express.
11. "BJD Slams Jaynarayan Mishra's Statement as Harmful to Odisha's Unity". Pragativadi.
12. "'His own view': Odisha distances itself from MLA Mishra's comments". The New Indian Express.
13. "BJP leader Jayanarayan's daughter sits through state song, stirs political controversy". The New Indian Express.
14. "Row over BJP MLA's remark on Koshala joining Odisha; BJD protests, Congress demands answer from Pradhan". The Hindu.
15. "Koshal's merger with Odisha, a historic blunder, says Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra". The New Indian Express.
16. "Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra accused of abusing police officer". O TV.
17. "Odisha MLA Jayanarayan Mishra abuses IIC, threatens to set police station on fire". Sambad English.