Flash Back 2020: Amid Few Political Teasers, 'COVID The King' rules!

Bhubaneswar: While politicians have an infectious craving to rule for long, the year saw the virus ruling the roost in the State. With the contagious coronavirus taking over the charge in Odisha, as many as half-a-dozen ministers and some 20-odd legislators here got the infection.

Though the year launched itself on to the political stage quite emphatically, with the State witnessing the spectre of the two major political parties pulling up socks for resetting their political strategies with new party presidents at the helm, and when the 'party' was beginning to flow, the COVID-19 virus quietly  came in as a spoiler. The first three months of the year delivered a great political trailer in Odisha.

Political Check-Mate

As the politics over CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) was reaching a crescendo with the advent of the year 2020, the CAA bill was passed in December 2019. The ruling BJD, which had supported the CAA bill, did a political balancing act here.

First, the Chief Minister declared that Odisha will not implement the National Register for Citizens (NRC). Then a panicked Naveen Patnaik held a  meeting with BJD MPs and the outcome  was to drop the contentious sub-section of column 13 in the National Population Register (NPR) format for the State. The government scare was to the fore because the NPR 2011 too had sought similar details. And data had been enumerated under the relevant section in Odisha in 2011. Moreover, Centre had stated quite clearly that the requirement under the relevant field is optional.

What is sub-section of column 13?

It sought details regarding the place of birth of father/mother, if they are not enumerated in the household in earlier NPRs.

The political chess board and the checkmate game of the BJD was to the fore, when to counter the BJP's campaign on how the Centre had constituted a Backward Commission but BJD not doing so in Odisha, the regional outfit decided to demand a caste-based enumeration during the Census 2021listing. The politics is: BJD knew it very well that SEBC census had been abandoned in 2001, when Atal Bihar Vajpayee was PM and BJD was part of NDA, and in 2011, when UPA was in power. Moreover, the census 2021 results will be out in 2022 and the next election is scheduled to be held in 2024, where BJD can play the SEBC card to the hilt.

Political activities were in the effervescent stage in the State. While the BJP anointed Samir Mohanty as the party's new State president, BJD was on a high as party supremo Naveen Patnaik had been re-elected as the BJD president for the 8th time in a row. Both the parties were in a state of battle ready.

Following the 'double engine' dictum in letter and spirit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made his first visit to the State after 2019 elections in February 2020 after the new State BJP President Samir Mohanty took over the mantle. Addressing a rally in Cuttack, Shah delivered an athletic speech to BJP cadres. He said, "Only a jump is needed for BJP to occupy the power-seat in Odisha."

However, a state of old-age inertia had been witnessed in the Grand Old Party (GOP) - the Indian National Congress - in Odisha. The Party in Odisha seemed to be battling with the crowd syndrome - one president, many claimants.

Political Bloopers

The ruling BJD had a fair share of howlers. And all that seems to had been ordained by the Lord. The Party faced the first heat on YES bank scam.  Odisha erupted as Shree Jagannath Temple Authority had a FD account worth Rs 547 crore in YES Bank. The State was on boil as Tirupati Temple Authorities sniffing trouble had successfully withdrawn their deposits prior to the cap, but Odisha was caught napping. Besides, the Government had a much of bodyline attacks from Opposition over Bagala Dharmasala sale and flip-flop over Puri Rath Yatra.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik came in the line of fire amidst the cooler December. His per scheme 5T was in flames. Because, parents of 5-year old Nayagarh girl Pari made a self-immolation bid before the Odisha Assembly as the Nayagarh police failed to make a headway even after 5-months of  her kidnap and murder.

In a span of 4 -days, 3 self-immolation played out before the State Assembly. All fingers pointed  at the district administration for 'shielding' the accused in every case. The grumblings ranged from police to procurement.

Above all, the PPE scam, where State Lokayukta recommended for Vigilance probe, zoomed the other 'C - Corruption' virus, even during Corona virus times. The surfacing of Panigrahi-Pathak skeleton in Naveen-led government's cupboard seemed to be last nail as it had brought to fore the wheeling-dealing in the BJD government, notwithstanding the slogan of 'Clean and Transparent Government'.

Political News Makers

Despite n-CoV grip, State saw two polls - one for Rajya Sabha and the other, bye-elections to Odisha Assembly.

The Winners - In RS Polls  

Subash Singh: A former CPI (M) leader and once a staunch critic of Naveen, his elevation to the RS bypassing many senior and loyal claimants from the party raised many eyebrows. Singh joined BJD only in 2013. An important political thread seen here is Singh is a close confidante of State Law Minister Pratap Jena. Singh is now the Chairperson of Odisha Construction Workers Welfare Board. Singh is a labour leader but not tall enough. Moreover, his elevation would not bring any windfall to BJD in Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur. Singh could mobilise around 3,500 votes when he contested twice from an assembly seat in Cuttack district.

Muna Khan: This Ollywood actor has been picked up only to send a message to the minority community, especially following a murmur of discontent post Naveen’s full-fledged support to CAA and Triple Talaq Bill. Currently, Khan is the advisor, Minority Affairs.

Mamata Mahanta: This BJD woman leader from Mayurbhanj has been picked up by Naveen keeping an eye on the Mayubhanj politics.  BJP has won the Mayurbhanj LS seat by garnering a massive 42 per cent votes. The saffron party has also bagged five out of 7 assembly seats. Since Sarojini Hembram’s ( a mass political leader from Mayurbhanj) RS tenure ended this year, Naveen picked a women leader from the constituency to represent BJD in the Parliament.

Sujit Kumar: The elevation of Sujit Kumar, a policy planner, to the RS has been done to boost the sagging fortunes of the BJD in Kalahandi. As BJD has lost the MP to BJP’s Basant Panda, Naveen choose Sujit to represent BJD in Parliament, despite BJD winning 5 assembly seats here.

By-Poll Victors

Swarup Kumar Das: This younger sibling of former Balasore Municipality Chairman, Anup Das, emerged the dark horse. And he went to reclaim the Balsore Sadar, a bastion of BJD. He defeated his nearest BJP nominee Manas Kumar Dutta, son of sitting MLA Madan Mohan Dutta whose death had necessitated the by-poll. BJP won in 2019 for Modi factor. Lost in 2020 as Modi was not a factor in by-poll.

Bijay Shankar Das: Easily romped home in the Tirtol assembly segment in Jagatsinghpur district, which has been a traditional stronghold of BJD. He was son of veteran BJD leader Bishnu Charan Das, whose demise had necessitated the poll. BJP candidate Rajkishore Behera emerged runner up in a constituency which at some time was a Congress stronghold.

Arun Sahoo: The Nayagrah Minor murder fire took the State Agriculture and Higher Education Minister into its flames. Both Congress and BJP have gone for the kill.