Column: Fighting For People’s Cause

By Ashutosh Mishra

Bhubaneswar: The meeting between Rayagada’s independent MLA, Makaranda Muduli and chief minister, Naveen Patnaik in the state capital has triggered speculation about the possibility of the first time legislator joining the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). This despite Muduli’s statement that clarified that while he was with the chief minister as far as his developmental drive was concerned he was not with his party.

Muduli, a veteran of many people’s movements and currently the only independent MLA in the 147-member Odisha assembly, has expressed his gratitude to Patnaik for clearing the proposal for setting up a major industrial unit in his constituency as this would help generate jobs. The activist-turned-politician cannot be faulted for extending support to the government’s drive to promote industrialisation as long as it benefits people.

Given his vast experience of having worked among people either displaced or affected in other ways by industrial projects, his understanding of positive and negative sides of industrialisation is supposed to be much better than others. Only a few weeks ago he had called Kashipur Bandh to express solidarity with people who were on agitational path demanding jobs in Baphlimali bauxite mines being operated by a major industrial house.

The legislator, who was one of the leading lights of Kashipur movement and has worked closely with veterans like Kisan Patnaik, continues to support the demand of local people for jobs in the mines as they bear the brunt of problems like pollution that make them susceptible to numerous diseases. He is for the people but not anti-industry.

That Muduli is quite popular in the area is evident from the fact that he was elected to the state assembly defeating the candidates of the three major parties including BJD’s Lal Behari Himirika, a former minister. People backed him even as an independent candidate because they were impressed with his track record and felt convinced that he would be able to raise the issues pertaining to the constituency much better than others.

Muduli seems to have a practical approach towards politics. Keenly aware of his limitations in terms of resources he has rightly decided to back the government on issues concerning the development of his constituency. He is obviously not one of those who believe in opposing for the sake of opposition. For him, the bottom line is the good of his people.

Speculation about the likelihood of his joining the ruling party was bound to arise sooner or later because he happens to be the only independent MLA of the present assembly. Not being attached to any political party can sometimes become a handicap for a legislator while trying to put pressure on the government for the execution of developmental projects in his or her area.

Muduli has so far resisted the temptation of joining the ruling party apparently because he values his political independence. However, the welfare of his constituents being uppermost in his mind he is right in adopting a pragmatic approach towards politics. He should seek the government’s help where necessary and always keep the interest of people before his own. That will ensure his longevity in politics.

(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)