Meanwhile, a war of posters has already begun between the saffron and conch parties. There are posters of Shah dotting the entire route starting from the party office in Bhubaneswar to Cuttack. To counter it, the BJD has also put posters of Naveen Patnaik and the party on Shah’s routes of travel in Cuttack city.
According to political analysts, Amit Shah’s non-political visit is going to be a pure political tussle in Cuttack city.
At the same time, the BJP camp in the state has come alive. The party members are eagerly waiting to receive ‘sanjeevani’ for the 2024 battle.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is well prepared to give a warm welcome to a leader like Amit Shah who played a vital and significant role in restructuring the organisation in Odisha. We have nothing to say about the BJD’s preparation to welcome its leader,” said State BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan.
Cuttack district BJD President Debashish Samantray said, “We are welcoming our leader and they are welcoming theirs. Tomorrow, we will welcome Naveen Patnaik as per tradition. We are also welcoming Shah to our city. There is no secret that the BJP will be benefitted from its leader’s visit and our party will have advantages from our leader’s visit.”
“As the 2024 election is getting closer, the central leaders are visiting the state. Their (BJD and BJP) show of strength will yield them nothing. They are responsible for the price of essential commodities skyrocketing. During these 22 years, things have transpired and there will definitely be a change in the coming days and the Congress will come to power in Odisha,” said PCC president Sarat Pattanayak.
At a time when the progress of the BJP in the state has slowed down following the jolts it received in the last Panchayat and urban polls, it is believed that the visit of Shah will infuse life into the party.
“What will be the strategies of the BJP, which is the main Opposition party in the state, for 2024 general election will clear tomorrow,” observed political analyst Rabi Das.
Notably, during his two-day tour, Shah will pay obeisance at the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, visit the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and attend the 'Amruta Utsav of the Prajatantra' to mark the 75th anniversary of the Odia daily at the indoor stadium in Cuttack.
The Home Minister will also launch the Odisha chapter of 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery', a book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's completion of 20 years as the head of a government- from becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 to being elected the Prime Minister of India in 2014 and again in 2019.
Addressing a presser today, State BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan termed the meeting of top civil servants with the chief minister as a black spot for bureaucracy.
The babus have crossed the Laxman Rekha, the limits of professional ethics and decency by meeting CM Naveen to wish him on the poll win and this is extremely unfortunate, said Harichandan.
Principles of the Constitution mandate the Executive to ensure neutrality at all levels, but top civil servants in Odisha destroyed their rationality and constitutional obligations, the BJP leader said in his media interaction.
The senior BJP leader claimed that his party's allegations against BJD of misusing the entire bureaucratic machine to win elections time and again have been proved widely open now.
The civil officials have offended the people whom they are duty-bound to serve. On the one hand, while corruption has reached fever pitch in the State forcing the masses to slowly lose confidence on the government machinery, the administration is playing appeasement politics
However, BJD played down the statements of the BJP as baseless. Ruling party MLA Bhupinder Singh said it was a courteous call by senior officials of the government to the Chief Minister.
"Instances are galore even in States ruled by the BJP where the top bureaucratic, police and other officials of the government meet the head of the state after elections. Show of this camaraderie is the culture of Jagannath and of entire India," said Singh.
The development has also not gone down well with some other quarters including former civil servants.
Former State Chief Secretary Sahadev Sahu said showing real intention and public display of any act is quite different. If the officers really wanted to congratulate the Chief Minister, they could have done so, but without expressing it in openly in the public. The context of the incident also hints towards violation of political neutrality which should not have happened, explained Sahu.
Ray also made his intentions clear of not contesting from Rourkela in the letter he posted on his social media handle in twitter. "It is with deep anguish that I have also decided not to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in 2019 from Rourkela," he mentioned in the letter.
While Ray informed about his resignation from the party on Twitter and later submitted the resignation letter to the Speaker, Mohapatra called a press conference to declare his decision.
In a three-page resignation letter, Ray mentioned, "Riding on the charismatic presence of Narendra Modi and the progressive change of the BJP had promised, I had envisioned a whole lot of development works for the city and had promised to fulfil the long ignored dream and aspirations of the people who had reposed their faith in me. I did put up the best of my efforts to the best of my ability and left no stone unturned on my part to materialise the dreams and aspirations of my constituents but at this stage, I acknowledge my failure in living up to their expectations and therefore, taking up the moral responsibility, I have decided to quit as the member of the State Legislative Assembly as well as from the membership of BJP."
Bijoy Mohapatra resigned from the party citing negligence by party national leaders, through a letter at a press conference here. The resignation letter has been issued to BJP National president Amit Shah & signed by both Dilip Ray and Bijoy Mohapatra.
Bijoy termed that both of them felt neglected by the party. "We regret to state that despite repeated efforts in appraising you on the sorry state of affairs in the party here , neither you nor any senior central party leader bothered to consult, review or take corrective measures. Be it the Mahanadi water issue, or the unfulfilled promises of a second hedge over river Brahmani ; the super speciality hospital at Rourkela or the dreams of lakhs of jobs for Odia youth which we sold at Paradip during the inauguration of the Oil Refinery - nothing , absolutely nothing materialized," the letter mentioned.
Meanwhile, BJP State chief president Basant Panda in his reaction said, "If branch of a tree falls, new branches will germinate from the damaged portion and that is nature. Only dreams cannot lead to anything. Apart from this, PM Narendra Modi is committed to development."
Also Read: We, not I, want to make Odisha leading state in country: Aparajita Sarangi
Panda added, "BJP will not be affected if anyone quits the party. The decision to quit party is his personal view and BJP will not interfere into it."
BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra commented, "Were they present in the party that they tendered a resignation? Both Dilip Ray & Bijoy Mohapatra had been staying away from party affairs for quite some time now. BJP is a huge party and no one has ever been ignored. Their resignation will have no effect on the party."
BJP State vice-president Samir Mohanty said, "Forming a coterie is in the DNA of Bijoy Mohapatra. He tried to create groupism in BJP but failed. Dilip Ray's resignation is also over personal interest, and IGH & Brahmani issues are just reasons for namesake."
Forming a coterie is in the DNA of Bijoy Mohapatra. He tried to create groupism in BJP but failed. Dilip Ray's resignation is over personal interest, IGH & Brahmani issue are just reasons for namesake: BJP State vice-president Samir Mohanty on #DilipBijoyResignation #Odisha pic.twitter.com/N0HNrts5Gr
— OTV (@otvnews) November 30, 2018
Meanwhile, BJD leader Pratap Jena called BJP a 'Jumla Sarkar' and said, "From their resignation, it is clear that BJP government is a 'jumla sarkar'. Be it Dilip Ray or Bijoy Mohaptra, whoever wants to join BJD, the decision will be taken by the party president Naveen Patnaik."
Even though the saffron party today failed to achieve the magical figure to form the government, its leaders in Odisha unit were seen celebrating at the party headquarters here in Bhubaneswar.
BJP leaders in Odisha believe that the party’s figure in the Karnataka election is a testament to its ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’ mission and it will help them change the political landscape in Odisha.
“We won in Goa, Manipur and Tripura and now in Karnataka. It proves that people of India want BJP government for development and prosperity. BJP’s winning streak will continue; we will form government in Odisha too,” said senior BJP leader, Pratap Sarangi.
On the other hand senior BJD leader and Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer welfare minister, Surya Narayan Patro said that the Karnataka verdict will have no impact on Odisha.
“BJD has always been equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress. Whosoever forms the government in Karnataka, we have nothing to do with it as we know people of Odisha will not get affected by this result,” said Patro.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president, Niranjan Patnaik commenting on the party's poor performance in Karnataka and its impact in Odisha, said Karnataka election was just a result of anti-incumbency and it will not affect the party's prospects in Odisha.
“Congress definitely got less number of seats than expected in Karnataka but it has nothing to do with Odisha politics. If JDS agrees, Congress will form government in Karnataka,” said Patnaik.
Meanwhile, political experts in Odisha believe that with the Modi-Shah winning combination may bring about some change in the State’s political scenario.
"The combination of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah is a deadly one. There is no alternative to them and their strategies," said political analyst Rabi Das.
Recently, at the Indian Hockey Team's jersey launch event Soumya Ranjan was seen chatting with Naveen's private secretary VK Pandian. Moreover, it is believed that Soumya Ranjan also met Naveen in New Delhi. He had also met Naveen at the latter's residence in Bhubaneswar a few days back.
"The event was not for any political discussions. I have had no such discussions with Naveen. As far as I believe there should be no hesitation to join hands with a party that supports our cause," said Soumya Ranjan.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra also met Naveen in Delhi fuelling speculations about a secret political alliance. However, Mishra clarified yesterday that the meeting was regarding smooth conduct of the upcoming Hockey World Cup which will be hosted by Odisha.
"My meeting with Naveen Babu and his meeting with PM Modi should not be construed as political. So, such speculations should end here,” Mishra had stated.
Naveen after returning from Delhi also clarified saying, "Mishra just dropped in 5 minutes before the hockey function to find out the details."
The parliamentarian who was seen at the State Secretariat today said that there is no rift within BJD and has the blessings of Lord Jagannath which will allow it to stay strong and fight for the rights of the people of Odisha.
Also Read: BJP trying to split BJD; looking for early elections in…
“BJD will stay. The party is united and there is no rift. No one has the power to break up BJD,” said Tathagata.
However, the purpose of Tathagata’s visit to the secretariat is not clear.
Speaking to media, Pangi said the Odisha Crime Branch has failed to bring the culprits in the murder case to book even after eight years of investigation and hence he has urged the Home Minister to order a CBI inquiry into the case.
"We met the Home Minister and apprised him about the murder case of Mandangi. Even after eight years, the Crime Branch is yet to arrest or identify the culprits. The reason behind such inaction is the involvement of a powerful BJD leader and attempts are being made to shield him. Therefore, we demanded for a CBI inquiry," said Pangi.
Revealing further details, he said: "Locals (residents of Rayagada) have been alleging involvement of BJD MP N Bhaskar Rao in the murder. We have also written to the President of India in this regard. But neither the Odisha government nor the CB is taking any step in this regard."
Also Read: BJP’s Mission 120 is now ‘Mission 420’: OPCC Chief
Mandangi, a former councillor of Rayagada municipality, went missing for a few days before his body was found on December 18, 2010, near Komarada in Andhra Pradesh.
MP Rao is yet to comment on Pangi’s allegations.
According to reliable sources, Sarangi will be formally joining the BJP on November 27 at New Delhi.
Sarangi, the 1994 batch Odisha-cadre IAS officer, was on central deputation since 2013. She was supposed to return to Odisha in October. However, she had applied for VRS in September this year.
Sarangi’s application for VRS was approved by PM Modi on November 16.
During her stint in Odisha, Sarangi had become a popular face as the Secretary of School & Mass Education department and Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
Earlier, speculations were rife that Sarangi would foray into active politics and this had warmed up political parties towards her with BJD and BJP announcing to extend support to the pro-public officer.
Accusing Rout of shielding persons with criminal background, Tarai demanded for a High Court-monitored special investigation team probe.
“Damodar Rout is the ring master of the entire crime syndicate in Paradip. He (Rout) has created many criminals. Bapi Sarkhel before joining Congress was with Damodar Rout,” said Tarai.
Addressing a presser in Bhubaneswar, Tarai today stated that Bapi Sarkhel in several interviews to media had claimed that Damodar Rout was his political guru.
Responding to such allegations, Rout stated “People of the constituency very well know what Bibhu Tarai is. Bapi Sarkhel is from Congress and why Bibhu Tarai did not oppose when he contested in the last election? If all of them know so much, they should knock the doors of Supreme Court.”
Bapi Sarkhel on the other hand said, “They are noted political brokers in Paradip. I do not want to comment on the persons as they do not have their own voice. I will certainly raise these issues before the party.”
Ever since BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik asked Bishnu Das to resign from the Rajya Sabha, the name of Gita Mehta, his elder sister, has been doing the rounds in political circles as a possible replacement for the Jagatsinghpur leader. In the last few days, the talk has veered to the possibility of her even taking over as Chief Minister. The proponents of this theory seek to justify it by pointing to his alleged health concerns that that they say require him to undergo a surgery he has kept delaying for some time now. This despite Naveen’s recent clarification that he is absolutely ‘fit and fine’. Just like speculation over his health problems, talk about Gita taking on a political role has refused to die down even though no one – neither Gita herself nor Naveen nor any other leader in the party – has even hinted at such a possibility. So, is this all idle political gossip, something that the media revels in, or is there something more to it?
This columnist, for one, is inclined to believe that Gita is just playing the concerned elder sister and is trying to help Naveen out by simply being by his side at a time when he is facing the toughest political challenge in his two-decade long political career in the form of a resurgent and bellicose BJP. That she would leave everything and come all the way from US to plunge into the hurly burly of Odisha politics – and that too at a time when the BJD is showing distinct signs of fraying at the edges – just does not make sense. Even assuming that Naveen indeed needs a surgery and thus has to stay away for several weeks, if not months, why on earth would he choose a ‘successor’ who is three years his senior? It would have made sense had it been someone like Arun Patnaik, the Chief Minister’s nephew.
Also Read: BJD: Things Are Falling Apart, Centre Can’t Hold
Over the years, Naveen has always needed someone to lean on for running the party and the government on his behalf. First, it was Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, who played the role to perfection for over a decade before his ambition got the better of him in 2012. For the next couple of years, it was Kalpataru Das, who played advisor-at-large to Naveen till his death in July, 2015. From then on, it has been the Chief Minister’s trusted personal secretary Karthikeyan Pandian all the way. But the outcome of the panchayat elections appears to have brought in its wake a change of thinking. With the knives out for his Man Friday after the less than flattering results in the zila parishad elections, Naveen appears to have realized the folly of over-dependence on a bureaucrat to run the party. And since there is hardly anyone in the party who he can trust completely, he may have felt that he needed someone who he can bank on for wise counsel on matters both political and personal. This, in my view, is all there is to Gita’s increasingly frequent trips to Bhubaneswar of late.
But assuming that this author is wrong and Gita Mehta is indeed bracing for an active political role in Odisha, what are the chances of such a move succeeding? Will those in the party who are allegedly contemplating jumping over to the BJP side likely to change their minds if she has a greater say in party affairs? What can Gita, who has virtually no experience of Odisha politics – in fact, any politics - and little knowledge or understanding of the changing equations within the party, do to save the party from sinking that her brother, with his experience of being at the helm for two decades, couldn’t? And last but not the least, how will the electorate at large, which is allegedly beginning to get disillusioned with Naveen, respond to a bigger role in the party – and even the government - for his sister?
These and many more imponderables put a serious question mark over any long term political role for Gita in the BJD. But it is possible that she may play, in the short run, friend, philosopher, guide to her beleaguered younger brother to tide over his moment of crisis and then go back to whatever she is doing back US. Maybe there is something to the speculation about Naveen’s health after all requiring Gita to step in temporarily and keep the seat warm till he returns and takes charge. In the absence of such a scenario, her entry at this juncture does not make sense.
By Sandeep Sahu
It is amazing how a moment of indiscretion can spoil a lifetime of good work. No one would agree with this more than Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, the man who has had more epithets coined for him than any other politician in Odisha.
In an interview to a TV channel three years after May 29, 2012, he called it a ‘strategic mistake’ even as he continued to vociferously claim that he never planned a coup against BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik that day as alleged. The painstaking work that he had done in building the BJD, brick by solid brick, into the formidable force that it is today went down the drains amid allegations of a ‘midnight coup’ (it was actually more of a ‘daylight coup’). While the likes of Atanu Sabyasachi, Arun Sahu, Sanjay Dasburma, Pravat Biswal, Sarada Nayak and many others, who had openly sided with Pyari Babu on that fateful day, were welcomed back into the fold with open arms and even given important positions in the party and the government, their mentor never got the opportunity to explain his conduct. Though he strived hard to remain politically relevant after being unceremoniously shown the door by Naveen through Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM), the party he founded, and occasional appearances in the media, Pyari Babu could never really get back the pole position in Odisha politics that he enjoyed for nearly a decade.
With Pyari Babu’s mortal remains now consigned to the flames, it would perhaps never be known what exactly transpired on that hot summer day five years ago. The dramatis personae of the high drama give such a bewildering range of conflicting versions on the events that it is hard to decide who is right: Naveen Patnaik, who termed his erstwhile mentor a ‘beimaan’ (traitor) and accused him plotting a coup d’ etat before throwing him out of the party or Pyari Babu, who maintained till his last breath that he never planned anything of the sort. In the event, everyone has his own take on the events of May 29, 2012 - as does this columnist. What follows, therefore, is this columnist’s own assessment as a journalist of what may have happened.
To put it in context, the showdown – real or purported – came in the backdrop of the just concluded panchayat elections in 2012 in which the BJD had won an unbelievable 651 out of 853 zilla parishad seats in the state. It is only fair to say that the party must have done equally well in the election for the posts of ward members, sarpanches and panchayat samiti members, despite the ‘partyless’ tag given to them. No one in the party – or outside – had any doubt whatsoever about who was the architect of this stupendous victory: it was Pyari Babu who was managing the whole show from the start to finish. Coming as it did on top of the equally impressive win in the 2009 Assembly elections - when the BJD proved skeptics within the party and outside wrong by bagging 103 seats on its own after severing its 11-year old alliance with the BJP – the steamrolling victory in the 2012 panchayat elections had made Pyari Babu larger than life. He was now perceived as the man with the Midas touch who had the uncanny ability to turn everything he touched into gold. Not just BJD leaders and workers, even the Opposition and the media were in awe of him.
Also Read: ‘Party With A Difference’ Claim Lies in Tatters!
It is possible that some of this adulation went to Pyari Babu’s head, who started believing that he was not getting what was due to him for the exemplary work that he had done for the party and Naveen Patnaik. Some of his handpicked men, who had become MLAs, ministers or important functionaries of the party after the 2009 elections and owed their position solely to him (it is believed that nearly 70 of the 103 BJD MLAs owed their party tickets to him), must have fed into this narrative. Significantly, it was a banner in Kalahandi in the run up to the 2012 panchayat election where Pyari Babu’s picture was reportedly a few inches larger than that of Naveen that is believed to have got the BJD supremo’s goat. Insecure at the best of times, Naveen must have felt that Pyari Babu was getting too big for his comfort.
This then was the backdrop against which the events of May 29, 2012 unfolded. The timing of Pyari Babu’s move to assemble loyal party MLAs first at his residence and then at a swanky hotel in town certainly suggested that something was cooking – even if it did not amount to a full-fledged coup bid. After all, it was a time when Naveen Patnaik had gone to UK on his first overseas tour after becoming Chief Minister. Anyone who saw and heard the boisterous Pravat Biswal, the MLA from Cuttack-Choudwar and among Pyari Babu’s staunchest loyalists, on TV that day would know that the mentor had not called his followers for exchange of pleasantries.
The narrative that was building up through the day was that Pyari Babu, convinced that he had the majority of BJD MLAs on his side, was out to force a split the BJD, dethrone Naveen and bid for power with the support of the Congress and others. Though the late Lalatendu Bidyadhar (Lulu) Mohapatra assured this author the same evening that there had been no talks between the two parties, doubts persisted. By midnight, however, the narrative had completely changed with many of those seen at Pyari Babu’s Sahid Nagar residence earlier in the day making a beeline for Naveen Nivas.
Pyari Babu carried the secret of what exactly happened that day to his grave. And knowing Naveen Patnaik, he is most unlikely to come out with his version of events in his lifetime. In the event, one can do no more than arrive at his own conclusion. This columnist, for one, believes that Pyari Babu did plan to raise the banner of revolt against Naveen Patnaik and had summoned his loyalists (who later proved that there are no loyalists in politics!) for this purpose though it is hard to say whether he actually intended to take over just the party or the government itself from his former ‘ward’. To paraphrase a term widely used in criminology, it was ‘culpable revolt not amounting to coup’!
Amid chants of Modi-Modi, the Prime Minister began his speech with 'Jay Jagannath' and welcomed the gathering in Odia and Santhali languages.
The PM said, "The government in Odisha is not serious about women welfare programmes as Odisha is lagging behind in women education, health and employment."
Condemning the Pipili gang rape verdict, Modi said, "The victim has been denied justice. Odisha government should launch a probe into the case again to ensure justice for the victim."
Highlighting the benefits of universal health coverage scheme Ayushman Bharat, Modi once again urged the Odisha government to implement the Centre's scheme in the State. “We will always work towards the development of Odisha. Many poor people are deprived of health care and the government should think of how these people will benefit from Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana under Ayushman Bharat scheme. We must work together for a New India and a New Odisha," Modi said.
Narendra Modi also targeted Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh on Vande Mataram row and suspension of pension of those detained during Emergency.
He also congratulated Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for dismissing all allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. “Bofors deal was a scam, but Rafale was a decision taken keeping in mind the national interest. Rafale will bring back Modi to build a new India and remove corruption,” Nirmala had said.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan too came down heavily on the Odisha government over chit fund scam in the State. He also stated that the party's primary aim is to get maximum Lok Sabha seats and at least 100 Assembly seats.
"In line with his vision of Purvodaya and his commitment towards the development of Odisha, PM Modi laid the foundation stones and dedicated various projects for the development of the people of Odisha. The inauguration of a bouquet of projects will ensure prosperity for Odisha," Pradhan said.
Meanwhile, responding to Modi's allegation of a faulty probe in the Pipili gang rape case, CM Naveen Patnaik stated, "We are following the case very forcefully."
Prior to the public rally, Modi laid foundation stones and inaugurated over Rs 4,500 crore worth of projects in Railways, LPG pipeline and Passport Sewa Kendras in the State. Modi dedicated to the nation, the Balasore-Haldia-Durgapur section of LPG pipeline project of IOCL and the Balasore multi-modal logistics park today.
He also unveiled a plaque to mark the commencement of work for the development and conservation of Rasika Ray temple at ancient fort, Haripurgarh. This apart, he laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of various National Highway projects and inaugurated six Passport Seva Kendras. He also flagged off the Tatanagar-Badampahar DEMU Passenger Train through video conferencing.
In his reaction, OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik said, “How can he (Modi) speak against Naveen Patnaik? If one casts in favour of BJD, it will be considered as a vote for BJP. Both the parties work hand in glove. Does anyone need an evidence for that?”
Refuting the charges levelled by Congress, senior BJD leader, Pratap Sarangi said, “Why would PM Modi engage in a war of words with Naveen? He (Modi) has sought reply from the State government in a symbolic way.”
“The question is not about who targets whom. BJD is a regional party and its fight for upkeep of the interest of Odisha will continue,” Sanjay Das Burma, general secretary of BJD said.
Modi’s vision of ‘Purvodaya’- Development of North East including Odisha was welcomed by all party members who are now focusing on the coastal belt of Odisha. The PM's scheduled Janasambad Samabesh in Khurda is also considered a part of the party's strategy to strengthen the BJP in constituencies which are comparatively less strong than the ones in the West Odisha.
The party’s focus shifted to coastal Odisha this year in May when Modi visited Cuttack during the fourth anniversary celebrations of the BJP-led government at the Centre. His visit was soon followed by Shah’s, who lambasted CM Naveen while highlighting the failures of BJD, during national executive meeting of the BJP Mahila Morcha at Puri. Now again, choosing Khurda for the mega public rally this month, certainly indicates the party’s plans to hold grip on all parts of the state thus strengthening speculation of Modi fighting elections from Puri.
Not only this, the saffron outfit has plans to segregate the State into four distinct zones to raise slogans of tranformation (Parivartan) through its Rath Yatra rallies scheduled to kick-off in January. Party national president Amit Shah along with senior leaders Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and other political heavy weights are likely to join the Rath Yatra processions.
Claiming that democracy is being murdered in Odisha and that there is a concerted effort to choke the democratic processes here, the party is of the opinion that these Parivartan Rath Yatra rallies will give BJP a big surge in the State ahead of the polls.
During his last visit, Modi had targeted Naveen Patnaik-led BJD for allegedly being involved in PC culture and other corrupt activities. This time too he is likely to go full blaze against Naveen while sounding poll bugle during the mega event.
"As per plans, four Rath Yatras would be organised and the Parivartan Yatras will include programmes presided over by senior leaders including party president Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani and many others," said BJP State General Secretary, Prithviraj Harichandan.
However, BJD and the Congress have stated that Modi's visit will have no impact on the political scenario in Odisha.
BJD vice-president Bimbadhar Kuanr said, "This will not impact BJD, rather the programmes being organised by the BJD will influence and affect them severely. It's good, they are doing their work and we are doing ours."
On the other hand, senior Congress leader Suresh Routray said, "There’s no problem if PM Modi is coming to Khurda. He should come with a slew of projects. But if he is coming only for party prospects, then his visit would be considered a failure."
Meanwhile, BJP's newly-joined member and former IAS officer Aparajita Sarangi has spread her wings by interacting with common masses to share their problems. She has also been visibly garnering support during her Jana Paramarsha Padyatras in and around the city.
Sarangi said, "Bringing schemes for people is just a matter of one day. But what I am seeing is the lack of implementation of such schemes and through interactions and meeting with people, I could see there are problems which need to be sorted out."
It is important to note that since 2014, Modi has visited Odisha as many as seven times and kept his attacks on the BJD, particularly during his Jharsuguda visit, strong and impactful.
Recently after Harivansh Narayan Singh won the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over telephone and thanked him for supporting the NDA-backed JD (U) candidate.
Somehow, Odisha Congress found it hard to digest the 'Thank You' call while its chief Niranjan grabbed the opportunity to show mirror to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the secret deals between the two on the newly-introduced “Phone A Friend’ policy.
He has been super active on his social media handle and quite good at it owing to his observance and claims based on ‘facts’ which according to him, is enough to prove the ruling-BJD at the State and Modi-led BJP at the Centre, betrayers.
Criticising the ‘Phone A Friend’ option of Modi and Naveen, the OPCC Chief tweeted, “The PM and CM have been talking a lot on phone these days. Wonder when will they talk about Odisha's issues? Why doesn't the CM pick up the phone and ask the PM to intervene on the construction of barrages on Mahanadi by the BJP Chhattisgarh govt.?”
https://twitter.com/NPatnaikOdisha/status/1028198280767758336
Niranjan further expressed hopes that the Odisha CM raises the issue of “special category status for Odisha” the next time PM Modi calls him for help.
https://twitter.com/NPatnaikOdisha/status/1028224034410909696
He was in no mood to stop there. He tweeted again, “Every other day we hear news about illegal land encroachment in Odisha by Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand BJP govts. I hope CM Naveen Patnaik raises this issue in his next phone call with PM Modi.”
https://twitter.com/NPatnaikOdisha/status/1028230357777170432
Laying importance on the efforts of Muktikanta Biswal for the super specialty hospital Modi had promised to the people of Rourkela, Niranjan suggested Naveen to remind Modi on the issue during their next ‘deal’.
“Mr CM, here’s another suggestion for your next phone conversation with PM Modi- Finish what Muktikanta Biswal wasn't allowed to do. The next time you talk to your good friend for the next "deal", do remind him about the super specialty hospital he promised to the people of Rourkela,” tweeted the OPCC Chief.
https://twitter.com/NPatnaikOdisha/status/1028235830509199360
However, Patnaik is hopeful of better performance as compared to the 2014 elections. “Congress will win more seats than the last general elections as we have given a tough fight. We will perform well in southern and coastal areas of the State, but we will not do well in north Odisha as we had expected earlier,” he added.
However, after such dismal forecast by the party chief, senior leaders came down hard on the leadership and alleged that the party is heading towards a very poor show in the election as the State guard disappointed party candidates, leaders and workers.
Lashing out at Niranjan, AICC Secretary Sarat Rout said, “Niranjan Babu (Patnaik) disappointed the party, candidates and betrayed Rahul Gandhi following which we felt helpless and orphaned. No one inquired about our preparedness for the election.”
“Those who were assigned responsibility did not carry out their work whole-heartedly. They should be held accountable for party’s poor performance in the election,” alleged senior Congress leader Jagannath Patnaik, who resigned from the party's coordination committee and membership of election committee.
Likewise, party’s candidate for Cuttack Parliamentary constituency Panchanan Kanungo alleged that the party did not fight the election as a team. “I admit that we lacked proper coordination. Those who were responsible for the organisational activity have failed to do so,” he said.
On the other hand, senior party leader and Jepore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati disapproved the party leaders’ allegations and said “Action should be taken against them for their comments. It is unfortunate that party leaders are reacting before media instead of discussing with the party State leadership and that too ahead of results.”
Bhubaneswar: With five out of BJP’s eight Lok Sabha seats coming from western Odisha it is clear that the party’s growth in the state has been lopsided. While it has strengthened itself further in the western belt, its traditional stronghold, it has not been able to make any significant inroads into the coast which is politically the most important region in the state.
The party which established its supremacy in western Odisha with victories on Bargarh, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Bolangir and Sundergarh Lok Sabha seats could win just two seats—Bhubaneswar and Balasore—in the coastal belt. Besides given the cosmopolitan character of Bhubaneswar it can only be technically described as a coastal seat.
The major losses on the coast that would rile the party for a long time to come have been on seats such as Kendrapara where the party fielded a seasoned campaigner who was capable of changing the political history of the constituency which has never elected a BJP leader. This contest was also symbolic in the sense that BJP candidate, Baijayant Panda was fighting the entire might of the state government. It was, for all practical purposes, a battle between him and chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, his friend turned foe.
Had Panda won he would have made history and his victory would have been a big boost to the BJP on the coast where it has always played second fiddle to BJD and Congress. He waged a valiant battle but that was not enough to secure him a victory. He lives to fight another day.
The loss in Kendrapara would linger in BJP’s memory. It should also serve as a reminder to the saffron party that its leaders need to roll up their sleeves and work harder to bring BJP in a position to challenge the ruling BJD on the coast because the keys to power lie here. It was this realization that had made Prime Minister, Narendra Modi choose Cuttack, the gateway to the coast, to present his government’s report card on the completion of four years of his first term in office.
The BJP lacks both capable leaders and a strong organizational base in the coastal region where Congress’s long reign was brought to an effective end by the BJD nearly two decades ago. The Naveen Patnaik-led party now has a stranglehold over the area which any challenger will find hard to shake. Hence BJP, if it is really keen to expand its base in the region, must have a clear cut strategy.
One of the key elements of this strategy should be highlighting popular issues and problems which the BJD, given the compulsions of being the ruling party, has not been able to address effectively. The BJP had adopted this strategy successfully to strengthen its base in western Odisha where it has reaped rich political dividends over the years. It can be equally successful on the coast if it follows the same formula with dogged determination. But this ambition cannot be realized without dedicated work by a team of talented leaders.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Bhubaneswar: Congress in Odisha seems to have gone from bad to worse. The party, which ruled the state for the longest period, has lost its main opposition party tag to the BJP with its assembly tally getting reduced to nine from 16 in 2014. The victory of its candidate in the Koraput Lok Sabha constituency is, at best, a consolation prize.
More than 50 percent of its Lok Sabha and assembly candidates have lost their deposits. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Niranjan Patnaik himself lost from both the assembly seats he contested while his son’s maiden electoral outing from Balasore Lok Sabha constituency ended in disappointment.
The mood in the Congress camp is expectedly gloomy with Patnaik already having owned moral responsibility for the defeat and offering to resign. Blame game within the party has begun with senior leaders like former union minister, Kanhu Charan Lenka finding fault with the leadership.
Signs were ominous for the party even before the campaign for the elections began. There was bitter recrimination between rival groups over distribution of tickets with some leaders even accusing Patnaik of promoting dynastic politics. The party suffered big jolts when MLAs like Naba Kishore Das, Jogesh Singh and Prakash Behera quit and joined rival parties.
Interestingly all these MLAs had lobbied vigorously for the appointment of Patnaik as the PCC president. Patnaik was anointed amidst much fanfare by dislodging young Prasad Harichandan whose tenure was marked by a bitter tug of war between the PCC and the Congress legislature party.
The MLAs, who waged a war against Harichandan, had rooted for Patnaik apparently because he was seen as a resourceful person who could revive the party at a time when elections were knocking on the door. Patnaik began with a bang, making the right moves but things started going haywire once realisation dawned upon leaders that the PCC chief was unlikely to turn things around within a short time and the party was bound to face a debacle in the polls.
While leaders like Naba Kishore Das and Jogesh Singh were quick to part ways things became more difficult for Patnaik with the ticket distribution exercise turning invidious. Disgruntled party leaders and workers demonstrated almost daily outside the Congress office in Bhubaneswar protesting against denial of tickets to the “ right” candidates. Leaders like former MLA, Jacob Pradhan decided to contest as independents.
It was under these circumstances that the Congress launched its election campaign in the state with party president, Rahul Gandhi making a few visits. Though some of Gandhi’s public meetings were well attended his campaign failed to inject life into the listless party organisation which was becoming increasingly rudderless.
Voter enthusiasm for the Congress also ebbed with the party’s traditional support base in most of the areas shifting to its rivals, mainly the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) which, it is no surprise, has emerged as the main opposition party in the state.
For the crisis-ridden Congress it is time to introspect and come up with an effective strategy to turn around its fortunes in the state where it has been out of power since 2000. And it must do so pronto.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Singh, a former minister and four-time MLA, will contest as BJD candidate for the deputy speaker of 16th Odisha legislative assembly.
This was informed in a press statement by BJD general secretary Bijay Kumar Nayak.
Singh was steel and mines minister in the third term of Naveen Patnaik's government.
A motion would be moved in the assembly for Singh's election, said a BJD leader.
Considering the majority of BJD, Singh is set to be the deputy speaker of the assembly.
BJD has 112 members in the 147-member house while the principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 23 members and Congress has nine.
Earlier, Surya Narayan Patra, a former minister and senior BJD leader was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Odisha legislative assembly.
The BJD also appointed Dharamasala MLA Pranab Balabantray as deputy government chief whip. Former minister Pramila Mallick is tipped to be the government chief whip.
Incidentally, both Balabantray and Mallick belong to Jajpur district.
An active political leader a few months ago, Majhi is now seen serving people as a doctor. According to sources, Majhi has been appointed by Sundergarh district administration as a contractual doctor at Talsara primary health centre.
With Majhi back to his earlier profession, speculations are rife in the political circle that he might have retired from active politics.
Majhi, son-in-law of five-time former legislator of Congress late Gajadhar Majhi, entered politics by winning the 2006 by-election to Talsara Assembly constituency. Later, he went on to win the seat in 2009 and 2014 elections.
In 2009, Majhi won the Assembly elections beating the NCP candidate by a margin of 19,741 (17.85%) votes. In 2014, he had defeated his nearest rival Binaya Kumar Toppo of the BJD by just 1,435 votes. However, he lost to Bhabani Shankar Bhoi of BJP in the last assembly polls.
"When the news of his returning to his earlier profession breaks, he will witness a huge rush of patients. People in large number will come to get treatment from him," said Dheneswar Nayak, a patient.
"Talsara health centre did not have doctor for a long period. As he served us as our representative for thrice, we hope he will now serve us well as a doctor," said Prasant Patel, a native of Talsara.
Asked about his new avatar, Majhi said, "I never left my profession in true sense even though I had stopped regular practice and patient service. As I got time now, I felt providing service to people will be better and so I resumed my profession," Majhi said.
Bhubaneswar: Should there be an age limit for contesting elections? This question has been asked innumerable times in the past. In fact, it comes up every time a 70 plus or so politician decides to contest an election.
This question has also been posed to politicians in our state. Asked about it former minister, Damodar Rout once famously said it was his right to contest elections, age no bar. The opening issue is in focus once again with former union minister and Congress veteran, Bhakta Charan Das dropping hints that he may not contest elections anymore.
Das, who started out as a socialist and was mentored in politics by former Prime Minister, Chandrashekhar, lost the last election from Kalahandi. His son, who contested the Bhawanipatna assembly seat, also lost.
There is speculation that Das, who is one of the senior most Congress leaders of the state, may promote his son in politics now. This, in fact, is the case with most of the leaders who decide against contesting elections. Take for example the case of former forest and environment minister, Bijayshree Routray whose son contested from his traditional seat in Bhadrak district this time and won.
Routray had made clear his decision not to contest much before 2019 elections were announced. He had also sought to take the high moral ground saying that politicians should withdraw from electoral politics after a certain age making way for the younger generation. But few people knew at that time that he was hinting at his own son while referring to the younger generation.
In the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) there are some other interesting cases of father’s promoting their sons. Most interesting perhaps in the case of former MLAs, Pravat Tripathy and Pravat Biswal who were denied tickets by the party because of their alleged involvement in the chit fund scam. However, they managed to lobby with the leadership successfully for tickets to their sons. Sons of both these leaders are now MLAs.
Some Congress leaders have faced criticism for promoting their sons in politics. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, Niranjan Patnaik was slammed by his own party colleagues for making his son a candidate from Balasore Lok Sabha constituency while himself contesting from two assembly constituencies. Both father and son lost.
Congress veteran, Narasingha Mishra, who had initially expressed his reluctance to contest elections, won from Bolangir assembly seat while his son lost from the Bolangir Lok Sabha constituency.
Mishra’s entry into the fray had surprised many as his earlier statements had created an impression that he was an advocate of an age limit for contesting elections.
While Mishra himself went on to contest the polls along with his son former minister, Bijayshree Routray stuck to his promise of not contesting but ensured a ticket for his son. His family, thus, continues to hold sway over the Basudevpur seat.
That brings us back to the original question —if there should be an age limit for contesting elections? While that question remains relevant now we should also be asking if leaders withdrawing from electoral politics should be allowed to push their children into the electoral arena. This , in fact, is a more important and relevant question as time has come to put an end to dynastic politics which has become the bane of our country.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
The BJD, Congress and BJP submitted names of 40-star campaigners of their parties at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha on Thursday.
Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will campaign for party candidate Dilip Kumar Panda in the October 21 by-election.
Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, senior BJD leaders AU Singhdeo, Prasanna Acharya, Prafulla Mallick, Naba Kishore Das are the star BJD campaigners who will campaign for party candidate Rita Sahu.
BJP working president JP Nadda, general secretary Arun Singh and Union ministers Smriti Irani, Dharmendra Pradhan, Pratap Sarangi will campaign for the saffron party candidate Sanat Gartia.
The Bijepur Assembly by-election was necessitated as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who had won from two seats - Bijepur and Hinjili - in the Assembly election retained Hinjili and vacated the Bijepur seat.
Great! Once again, we heard Dr. Damodar Rout, crying rather stating softly, ‘no more interested’ in electoral politics.
Really! But, he will be with the people and continue to serve them. Oh, once again the same old quote from a seasoned politician, who is in his twilight zone.
But, this is the oft-repeated line of the ‘wannabees’ or already in politics politicians. But, form Dam Babu, why then now. When you are in the ‘home stretch’, in this case read the final phase of his political quarter-mile race.
That is ‘the’ million-dollar question, but for whom. His supporters, who are diminishing like his already diminished hairs on his head, of which he got a good taste in the last election. Or, for those so-called intellectuals who were part of his political growth chart but certainly not for the hoi polloi. Probably left with no alternative he just parroted this line.
Anyway, Dam Babu is Dam Babu, after all, he is known both for his barbs and also foul cry, ‘I tell you so type,’ in media. Editorial word limitations actually forbid the writer else a few MBs would have fallen short narrating about Dam Babu’s histrionics. He knows what actually or exactly his mind is thinking.
In fact, there is no take away from this statement. Given his on-camera body language one feels it was made in desperation or dejection or both. The realisation has crept in at last that he is in the proverbial home stretch. Let us wait and watch.
But, very cautiously he ranted against his current party, which according to Biju Babu ‘killed Gandhi Mahatma’ he once stated. He was not supposed to be in the party, as per his own admission, but political exigency or read ‘survival’ necessitated.
“I went to the meeting uninvited. No one asked me anything. I did not say anything and so on,’ lamented Dam Babu about his status in BJP. His demotion from last time he was star campaigner to no more was nearly the final nail in the coffin, one felt. But, there was no heavy-duty salvo against the party. In all likelihood, the BJD experience, the tragic consequence of firing in all cylinders, was always playing in his mind. So the refrain.
But he reminded, citing Naba Krishna Choudhury's example, in politics age does not matter. That is actually one interesting takeaway from the whole confessions.
Age really does not matter in politics. His own ‘killer of Gandhi Mahatma party’ is full of such aspirants. So, why not to harbour such ideas. But, what seems, in all likelihood, for the next five years there won’t be any vacancy for him. Will he have possibilities, if BJP makes it to the hoisting? That is not at all a million-dollar question. For BJP there are younger and powerful aspirants in the queue.
For Dam Babu there does not seem to be an opportunity in the party despite the example. The real million-dollar question is ‘does he have any other option left or open at this juncture.’
The greatest of the greatest optimist will say, in this case, ‘politics is not a game of chances.’
So, what one can expect from him now. Nothing. Own party and fight no chance. Some hope after five years, no chance, he will be well above 75 years.
What is left for him and for us? Searching for relevance through such interviews! Feel free to express if anything left in the drama.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Narrating about the Ram-Ravan anecdote, Routray said that each of the major parties including the Congress has leaders portraying the characteristics of Ravan in real life, citing the number of houses and property they have established during their reigns.
The Congress leader pointed, “CM Naveen is the ultimate Ravan with no political right-hands. Dharmendra Pradhan was Ram at the beginning but he has become half-Ravan now.”
“On the other hand, Niranjan Patnaik, as far as I am concerned, doesn't consume liquor, neither does he looks at women with a wrong mindset. He is a knowledgeable man with huge assets,” said Routray.
#WATCH senior Congress leader Suresh Routray's Rama-Ravana Anecdote on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan & OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik #Odisha #RamaRavanaAnecdote pic.twitter.com/XLiaDIicdP
— OTV (@otvnews) October 7, 2019
Responding to Suresh Routray's jibe, former BJD MP Prasanna Patasani said he considers himself Hanuman under the reign of CM Naveen- his Lord Ram. "Naveen Patnaik, Dharmendra Pradhan and Niranjan Patnaik are all like Ram but I am discharging my duties under Naveen Babu like Hanuman as I used to do under the leadership of Janaki Ballav Patnaik and Biju Babu.”
When senior BJP leader Damodar Rout was asked about his response, he said, “The Ravan concept is based on the inherent qualities of a person. For me, those who choose politics to gain money are the Ravans. But don't drag me into controversies. I am tired now.”
https://youtu.be/dJxz8d4kEpo
Response of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan could not be obtained.
Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj are the three Odisha districts bordering with Jharkhand and JMM shares a bonding with the tribal population of these areas. It had won three Assembly seats Odisha in 2000, four seats in 2004, but failed to open its account in the State during 2009, 2014 and 2019 elections.
Besides, the party had suffered a setback during the 2014 elections when two of its senior leaders, Sudam Marndi and Bhadab Hansda left the party mid-way and joined the ruling-BJD in Odisha.
However, JMM is now confident of capitalising the Jharkhand-win and earn more political dividends in Odisha. "JMM's win in Jharkhand will definitely have a greater impact in Odisha, especially in Keonjhar, Sundergarh and Mayurbhanj," said Kalinga Keshari Jena, general secretary of the party in Odisha.
On the other hand, Congress claims that the party will rewrite Jharkhand story in Odisha. “Along with JMM, we will work towards strengthening the party and move ahead. The Jharkhand result will definitely have an impact on Odisha politics,” said Congress MLA, Sura Routray.
While the BJD also seems blissful with the result as it is believed that the surge of JMM in the northern part of Odisha will cut into BJP's vote bank. However, the BJP is of the view that JMM’s win will not affect the party’s prospects in Odisha.
“The Jharkhand result will have no impact on the BJP as we contest elections on the basis of our organisational strength,” State BJP vice-president, Samir Mohanty.
BJD MLA Nrusingha Charan Sahu said that the people of Jharkhand rejected the BJP because of its greed and anti-people activities. “We want the BJP to face defeat everywhere. The party’s voice is loud, not actions,” he said.
Pradeep Majhi is the last person you would expect to say the kind of things for which he has been at the centre of media attention for over 36 hours now. He is even more unlikely to stubbornly defend what he was caught saying on camera during the 12-hour Nabarangpur bandh organized by the district Congress to protest alleged police inaction in the Kosagumuda minor rape and murder case on Thursday. While his exhortations to party workers to keep ‘petrol and diesel ready’ and wait for instructions to set things on fire can be explained away, though not defended, as a spur of the moment outburst of someone who has reached the end of the tether, the same cannot be said about his subsequent defence of the act and flat refusal to apologise for it. If nothing else, at least the fear of censure and action by his party should have made him see reason and express regret. The fact that it did nothing of the sort points to the possibility that it was not an impulsive outburst but part of a well thought out game plan.
The point to note in the whole affair is that the uncharacteristically intemperate utterances and its inexplicable defence has done enormous damage to the Congress – not just in Odisha but nationally - at a time when the Modi-Shah government is doing everything it can to attribute the violence during the nationwide protests against CAA/NRC to the party. For Pradeep Majhi is not an ordinary worker but a working president of the state unit and a former MP of the party. As someone who has been around for quite some time, he couldn’t possibly have been unaware of the harm his conduct is doing to the party’s cause. As was only to be expected, the BJP has pounced on his misdemeanor and used it to paint the entire Congress party as a votary of violence while proclaiming to be a party that believes in the Gandhian principle of non-violence. Conversely, it has provided a heaven-sent opportunity to the BJP to present itself as an apostle of non-violence!
In the circumstances, the only explanation for his conduct one can think of is he has made up his mind to part ways with the Congress and possibly – and this is only in the realm of conjecture at the moment – join the BJP. Significantly, the Congress is yet to take any action against him or, at the very least, publicly censure him, more than a day after the incident. Rather than promise action, PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik chose to apologise on his behalf! It is possible that the party has already got wind of his plans and is being soft on him in a desperate bid to keep him in the party. Majhi, after all, has been a rare bright spot for a party that has been in a state of rapid and constant decline in the state for nearly two decades. He is among the few leaders in the party who still have substantial grassroots support in undivided Koraput district in general and Nabarangpur in particular. Though he eventually lost, he was among the two or three Congress candidates from the state in the last Lok Sabha election who were being talked about as possible winners. His act thus has put the Congress in a real dilemma.
It is not without significance that Majhi, normally at the forefront of most public demonstrations organized by the party, has been completely silent for the last six months – till he decided to hit the streets on the Kosagumuda gang rape and murder case. At a time when the Congress is busy organizing protests across the country against CAA/NRC, its man for all seasons has remianed totally silent on the issue. If he has suddenly decided to break his silence now – and that too with an open call for violence – it can mean only one thing: he certainly knew what he was doing.
The young leader has obviously weighed the pros and cons of his action well. If the party acts against him, he would go down as a martyr to the cause of the honour of tribal girls, which would stand him in good stead in future elections. He could go to town claiming his loyalty to the tribal cause is greater than his loyalty o the party. If it doesn’t, he could still go to town claiming that the party didn’t act against him because the cause he took up was just.
Either way, it’s a win-win situation for the young tribal leader.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same)
As per reports, the Central OBC Commission had earlier sent a questionnaire to Odisha government seeking details of the development works being undertaken by the State for the backward classes. The Commission had also asked to reply within 15 days. However, the State Cabinet passed a resolution soon after that and approached the Centre for caste-wise enumeration to be conducted simultaneously with the 2021 general census.
"Instead of giving details of the steps taken to include the backward classes in the different State and Central schemes, Odisha government is playing such political stunts by urging the Centre to conduct a socio-economic caste enumeration during the general census in 2021," alleged BJP spokesperson, Golak Mohapatra.
SEBCs and OBCs are still underdeveloped in Odisha. The government is just playing caste-based politics to garner votes, but people are no longer naive here, said Congress MLA Sura Routray.
Responding to the allegation, ruling-BJD MLA Ananta Das said that the sought details will be given once the survey is completed. "A survey is first needed to calculate the percentage of backward classes out of the total population in the State. How can we give details without a survey?" Das said.
Besides, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier questioned Odisha government’s move to pass a resolution seeking the enumeration and asked why the State government is not implementing reservation for the backward classes in government jobs as well as in educational institutions.
https://youtu.be/nwqavCbKc44
The BJD had last year supported BJP candidate Ashwini Vaishnav in the Rajya Sabha elections, prompting the opposition Congress to raise doubts whether the party will lend support to saffron party candidates this time as well.
"We are not under any pressure over seat-sharing for the Rajya Sabha elections. The party president will take a call on this matter," government chief whip and senior BJD leader Pramila Mallick told reporters here.
BJP candidate Ashwini Vaishnav was last year elected to Rajya Sabha from Odisha despite the party not having the required number of MLAs.
BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik had then clarified that his party had supported Vaishnav following requests by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said that the BJD president will choose the candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls.
Four Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha will fall vacant after completion of tenure of three BJD lawmakers -- Anubhav Mohanty, Narendra Swain -- and Sarojini Hembram and Congress member Ranjib Biswal on April 2.
Mohanty has been elected to the Lok Sabha in last year's general elections.
While the BJD is set to retain its three seats, it is not sure about bagging the fourth seat that is being vacated by the Congress MP.
According to the existing formula for the Rajya Sabha polls, one candidate needs at least 29 first preference seats for victory. Since BJD has 113 MLAs, it can easily win three seats, but it is short of three members to win the fourth seat.
The BJP, with 23 MLAs which is less by 6 first preference votes for the RS Polls, said it will field one candidate for the fourth seat.
"We are likely to field a candidate in the RS polls though we are short of the required number. The party's central committee will take a call on this matter," Leader of Opposition, Pradipta Kumar Naik of the BJP said.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra, however, said his party will not be able to contest the polls as it has fewer members in the Assembly. The Congress has only 9 MLAs in the 147 member-strong House.
"But the party can nominate its candidate with the support of the Left. The Congress high command will take a decision this regard," Mishra said.
The CPI(M) has only one member in the House and there is also an Independent MLA.
While notification for the biennial elections will be issued on March 6, March 13 is the last date of filing nominations.
Counting will be held on the evening ofMarch 26, an hour after the conclusion of polls.
(PTI)
Just ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state, Congress MLA Sura Routray today alleged that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's BJD was an ally of the BJP during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime and continues to maintain cordial ties with the saffron party.
"CM Naveen is having close ties with the Centre and he is helping the BJP in passing of all the bills in Parliament. He is losing his own image by doing so even when his party (BJD) enjoys full majority in the State," said Routray.
He further said that instead of coming to Odisha, Shah should stay in Delhi and ensure peace. "What will he say and make people understand here? At a time when the national capital is burning, the Home Minister should stay there and do the needful," he added.
Also Read: HM Shah Will Chair EZC Meeting Tomorrow At Bhubaneswar, CM Naveen To Play Host
On party's plans to rejuvenate the organisation for the upcoming polls, Routray said Congress is gaining strength and it will come to power once again.
Hitting back at the Congress, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said the allegations of Congress are baseless as the Home Minister is coming for an official programme to attend the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting, which is meant to improve cooperation and coordination among states.
On the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Deb said, "No discussion is needed between CM Naveen and Shah over the Act as the former has already made the State's stand clear."
Also Read: Amit Shah To Address Pro-CAA Meeting In Bhubaneswar
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is all set to attend the 24th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting here on February 28. Development schemes and programmes, disaster-resilience infrastructure, rail projects, operation of mines, coal royalty, timely release of central grants and several other issues are likely to be taken up for discussion during the meet.
The party took the decision at its State Council Meeting presided over by its member Jagannath Mishra.
Also Read: Odisha Rajya Sabha Polls: EC Sets Ball Rolling, Naveen Going To Play Hardball!
Due to the CPI(M)'s decision, opposition Congress can now no longer field a candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections to four seats scheduled to be held on March 26.
The Congress has only nine MLAs in the 147-member House and lacked one member's support to field a candidate in the polls.
As per the provision, at least 10 proposers should sign in the nomination paper of any candidate.
Earlier, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra had said that since Congress has only nine MLAs, the party could field a candidate with help of the CPI(M).
Opposition BJP has already announced to field candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls even as the saffron party has only 23 MLAs in the Odisha Assembly.
To ensure the victory of a candidate, he or she needs the first preference votes of at least 29 MLAs.
Ruling BJD, on the other hand, has 113 MLAs and could register an easy victory in three of the four vacant seats.
(PTI)
A special investigative report by OTV has brought widespread irregularities in MNREGA into limelight from Agalpur block of Bolangir district. Despite having job cards, thousands of labourers in the block are sitting idle without any work in hand during COVID pandemic due to corruption.
According to sources, there are more than 800 MNREGA job card holders in Budula Panchayat of the block, but not a single card holder has earned employment for years as works which are awarded for MNREGA workers are now being carried out using machine and tools. In several places, budget estimation boards were also seen making pseudo-claims regarding expenditure on workers.
https://youtu.be/lZODaSxIk_M
Bimanta Naga, a job card holder in Budula Panchayat said, “This card is no use for me. I have not received a single workday in last 14 years. I have been sitting idle in home since the lockdown. All works in this area are being done with help of machines.”
Gariba Naga, another rightful beneficiary who has been reportedly denied employment, said, all public works were done using JCB machines. Contractors were engaged corruptly to embezzle the public money.
Meanwhile, targeting Odisha government over the reports, BJP has come out with documentary evidences to substantiate the allegations. BJP state spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said, “Not only Bolangir, but the entire state is mired with such deep rooted corruption."
“Evidences of embezzlement in Hatadihi (Keonjhar), Tirtol (Jagatsinghpur), Niali (Cuttack), and Khalikote block in Ganjam district are glare examples of this Neta-Babu-Contractors nexus corruption in MNREGA works in the State," said Mohapatra.
The state BJP has demanded an enquiry to this and requested the state government to hear public petitions to scrutinise corruptions in the grass-root level.
Congress leader Sura Routray has also scathed an attack on government over MNREGA mismanagement saying, “Contractors are making profit by making false bills under the very nose of the government officials."
On the other hand the BJD has refuted the Opposition's claims in a press release. The ruling party claimed that while the incumbent BJP government in the centre has awarded Odisha for its success in implementing the MNREGA, allegations levelled by its State unit party leaders are unwarranted.
(Edited By Surya Kant Jena)
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For the ruling BJD in Odisha, women voters have always proved a major factor in winning consecutive elections. During the recent bypoll to Balasore Sadar and Tirtol Assembly constituencies, women electorate once again proved game changer for the BJD.
While political experts feel that it would be difficult for the BJP to come to power in Odisha without winning the trust of women voters in the State, the saffron party claims that its development politics will help them defeat the ruling-party.
BJP will reach out to women voters in the State and the party is confident that its politics of development will win against the politics of giving money to SHGs, said State BJP general secretary, Lekhasri Samantsinghar.
BJP leader Amar Satpathy admitted to the claims and said, "Our base is women voters in Odisha. We have been getting their support due to the party's continuous efforts and works towards women empowerment in the State."
The move is a home-coming for Das who had earlier deserted the BJP and joined the ruling BJD to fight election. He was also elected to the State Assembly from Balasore Sadar on BJD ticket.
In November last year, Das was suspended from the BJD over alleged anti-party activities.
A day after his suspension, he had resigned from the primary membership of the BJD. He had alleged that the party never provided him an opportunity to put his side over the allegations of anti-party activities.
Das was one of the star campaigners of BJD for the by-election to Balasore Sadar constituency which was held in November.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will visit Rourkela tomorrow and lay foundation stone of the world-class Hockey stadium in Rourkela. He is also expected to announce package for Rourkela Smart City and other projects.
Even though it is a government programme, banners and posters of the ruling-BJD have been put on display in the entire city. To make the event a successful one, 17 MPs and over 70 MLAs apart from senior BJD leaders have reportedly camped in the district.
While Ministers and senior leaders have been given responsibility of blocks, MLAs and other leaders are in-charge of panchayats. LEDs have also been installed at panchayat level for the event.
"Sundergarh is in our focus and also western Odisha. CM Naveen will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of several projects worth over Rs 4800 crore," said BJD's observer for Sundergarh district, Pritiranjan Gharei.
Former Minister and senior BJP leader Jual Oram alleged that the Odisha government has been creating hindrance in developmental works in the district. A total of 13 Eklavya Model Residential Schools will be established in the district. People will believe this government only if it will give them the same, he added.
CM Naveen's announcements are meaningless. Several projects he had announced since 2004 are yet to see the light of the day, alleged senior Congress leader George Tirkey. "Taking this into account, we are going to observe Dhoka (betrayal) Divas tomorrow," said Tirkey.
It is worth mentioning that in the previous panchayat election, BJD had won only 14 Zilla Parishad zones out of 35 in Sundergarh. Apart from losing the Parliamentary seat here in 2019 general election, the party had won only two assembly seats out of seven in the district.
So, the mega even in Sundergarh is believed to be part of the BJD's plan to strengthen its position in the region ahead of the upcoming panchayat and urban local bodies elections.
Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik said that the position of BJD is not good in western Odisha and the party has fear of the same. Hence, the CM is touring across the State but it will not help the BJD.
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said that the CM is announcing several projects but to no use. "In the name of development, western Odisha is being exploited," he added.