Starting from its initial list unveiled on March 27 (2+7=9), which featured 72 (7+2=9) candidates, the party has maintained this numerical theme throughout its subsequent lists.The first list of Lok Sabha candidates released on the same date, too, had name of nine candidates.
The second list comprised 27 candidates, which adds up to 9 (2+7). In the following rounds, the party has consistently named 9 candidates per list. Interestingly, the cumulative number of candidates after each round has also been a multiple of nine: 72, 99, 108, 117, 126 and 135. As of now, BJD still has 12 candidates left to announce after its sixth list was released on Saturday.
While many BJD leaders TOI spoke to feigned ignorance about the pattern followed by Naveen and his close associate VK Pandian, a BJD spokesperson said these may be coincidences. Naveen himself announces the names of the candidates by issuing a video message in every round.
A BJD insider said there is a strong belief of the dispensation on the strength of auspicious number 9, which has a strong connection with Jagannath culture. Prafulla Mishra, a Sanskrit scholar, said, “Lord Jagannath’s Rath yatra (car festival) goes on for nine days, which represent nine planets. The chariot of Lord Jagannath has nine Parswa Debatas (side deities).”
Interestingly, Naveen chants Jai Jagannath before announcing names of candidates every time. The first list of 72 candidates had started with Jagannath Saraka, who has been fielded from Bisam Cuttack, and ended with Jagannath Naik, fielded in Patna assembly seat.
The first MP list of nine had started with Lambodar Nial from Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat. Lambodar happens to be another name of Lord Ganesha.
Sripati Acharya, a learner of numerology, said 9 is the strongest number which stands for success, power and prosperity.
“It represents the completion of a cycle, signifies the end of one phase and the readiness to embark on a new journey,” he said.
The BJD’s strategy for announcing the remaining 12 seats is still unclear. According to sources, the party might release another list of nine candidates simultaneously, followed by a separate announcement of three names. This approach aligns with numerological compatibility, as both three and nine share similar characteristics.