Democracy being murdered in Odisha, says Soumya Patnaik

Democracy is being murdered in Odisha, said BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik during the inauguration of a book-‘Anubhavaru Anubhuti’, authored by former minister and veteran politician Damodara Rout on Wednesday.

“Odisha is not governed by democracy, but by party and bureaucrats,” said the BJD legislator and Editor of an Odia daily while joining as the chief guest in the function.

“For few years, Odisha was ruled by political party and democracy was party centric. Party was calling the sorts and all the major decisions were controlled by party. However, situation has changed and bureaucracy has taken over the governance in the State,” said Patnaik.

“Influence of bureaucracy has increased in the State than the political leadership. People in the State are of the opinion that the ministers don’t have any power and the bureaucrats are more powerful than them. Everybody will endorse the fact, but nobody will dare to tell the truth openly,” he added.

Meanwhile, shading light on his book, Damodar Rout said, “Experience is not being reflected in Odisha politics, rather the State is being governed in a trial and error manner.”

Taking a dig at State government for the encroachment of Odisha lands by neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, Rout said, “Odisha is losing lands in the border areas due to non-Odia officers and the situation is often painful.”

“Non-Odia officers don’t know about the culture of Odisha and hence bureaucracy’s control over governance is hurting the interest of the State,” rued Rout.