In the run-up to the 2024 elections, the Biju Janata Dal(BJD)’s alleged strategy to grab and garner votes of women members of SHGs votes received a big jolt after the Election Commission of India (ECI) directed transfer of Sujata Karthikeyan, the secretary of Mission Shakti.
Over 70 lakh women of SHGs functioning under Mission Shakti are connected with the BJD. They formed a major vote bank for the ruling party
Odisha BJP had been raising allegations repeatedly against Sujata that she had been influencing SHG women to vote the BJD by misusing her power and government machinery.
She was accused of motivating voters to favour the state government through Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), a programme of the ECI.
BJD scared of poll debacle: BJP
The BJP also alleged that since BJD leader VK Pandian is the husband of Sujata, she under cover of her husband’s political power, was working as an agent of the party despite being government servant. “Sujata used to threaten SHGs that funds would be curtailed if they did not vote for the BJD,” the BJP alleged.
Finally, the BJP leader took up the issue with the ECI on Thursday and immediate action followed. The ECI directed the Odisha government to shift Sujata elsewhere.
BJP leader Dilip Mallick said,”Mission Shakti is not meant for political campaign. We had submitted a complaint with proper evidence against Sujata at the ECI. The ECI removed her from duty after finding evidence against her to be true. The BJD is scared of poll debacle.”
BJP allegation is politically motivated: BJD
BJD leader Subash Singh countered the BJP and came to the rescue of Sujata. “The BJP is complaining about it with a political motive. She is an administrative officer and has no connection with politics. She is working for the women's empowerment and has drawn the attention of the United Nations.”
Recently, a video went viral in which Bishnupriya Das, a DLF under Mission Shakti, was seen appealing to SHG women to vote for the BJD. She was seen sharing a dais with BJD leaders at a meeting.
A group of women in Balasore alleged that they were being asked to vote for the BJD and to attend the party meetings. MBKs and CRPs are allegedly canvassing for the BJD at various places.
Sumati Khatua, a member of Sairam SHG, Balasore said,”We are told that no facilities will be given to us if we don’t vote for the BJD. They are threatening to stop.
Deeparani Majhi, a member of Baba Siddhaeswar SHG, said, “Discussions emphasise on voting for the BJD at the group meeting. We are threatened that our membership will be dropped if we don’t vote for the BJD.”
Besides, it was alleged that SHG chains were used to distribute money to voters. The BJP had managed break the chains of the SHGs during the Dhamnagar by-election.