“We want Modi to contest from Puri. However, the party’s Parliamentary Board will take a final call,” added Panda.
"Our Mission-120 in Odisha is on right track and the party will be able to achieve more than 120 seats, which is also reflected in public opinion poll," Panda said.
The proposal comes a day after the ABP News-C Voter ‘Desh ka Mood’ survey predicted that Narendra Modi-led BJP is likely to win big in Odisha even though it will not be a smooth ride for its ruling alliance NDA, which is projected to emerge victorious in 276 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats across the country.
The survey report quoted that BJP is seeking to brighten its prospects in the eastern state where speculations of PM Narendra Modi contesting from a Lok Sabha constituency are rife. "If that happens, BJP-led NDA is likely to get 13 seats,” the survey report stated.
The survey also predicted that it will be a major setback for ruling-BJD which will win six Lok Sabha seats out of 21 seats, while others including Congress may get just two if elections were held today.
Panda told mediapersons that the two youths had come to his office yesterday also and asked for some financial help from the PM’s relief fund or CM’s relief fund.
“They asked for help for treatment of their father,” he said.
“I had told them to come with proper documents, but today the duo forcibly entered and started threatening me,” Panda elaborated.
Later the Commissionerate Police arrested the duo and clarified that they threatened Panda with a toy gun.
The two youths identified themselves as Pinaki Mohanty and Sambit Panda.
https://youtu.be/Cx5cbGet2qg
However, talking to OTV, Sahu said he will not leave the party but will stay in Bijepur and openly protest if Panigrahi is chosen as candidate for the bypoll.
“I will not resign from the party but will continue to work for it. I have requested to relieve me from the district president post which has not been accepted till now. I have given an oral request but not yet sent any letter regarding this. Three Mandal presidents in Bijepur and district executive members are with me. I will remain in BJP till the party takes final decision and I hope that it takes appropriate decision,” said Sahu.
He demanded that old party activists who have worked for the BJP since long and are actively involved in the organisation should be declared as the candidate for the bypoll.
Reacting to Sahu's decision, BJP's national secretary Suresh Pujari said, "I know Narayan Sahu since last 25 years. He is a dedicated and disciplined member and an apt candidate for Bijepur."
Pujari even added that no candidate has yet been finalised for Bijepur bypoll though nearly a dozen MLAs and ex-MLAs including Panigrahi are in contact with the party. But the final decision lies with the core-committee.
Earlier on Monday, Ashok Panigrahi along with his thousands of supporters joined the BJP at the ‘Mishrana Parva’ held at Barpali in Bargarh district. Sahu's absence in the event gave way to speculations that he has resigned from the party.
Denying the hypothesis, Sahu today said he missed the event as he had gone to visit an ailing relative.
https://youtu.be/Zg1WdPDBDeI
BJP’s Bargarh district president Narayan Sahu has vehemently opposed the ongoing attempts by the higher echelons of the party to rope in Panigrahi for the Bijepur seat.
Sahu stated that Panigarhi will be welcomed into the party but his candidature for the Bijepur bypoll will not be accepted. Besides, Sahu claimed that Panigarhi doesn’t have his own vote bank else he would have won the 2004 elections when BJD & BJP were in coalition.
Also Read: Bijepur bypoll: Ex- MLA Panigrahi to join BJP on Oct 2
“We have already submitted a memorandum to party president Basant Panda and demanded to announce a candidate from the organization instead of roping in new entrants,” said Sahu.
BJP State President, Basant Panda meanwhile said “Party’s parliamentary committee takes the final decision. So far no decision has been taken on finalizing candidate for the Bijepur bypoll.”
Clearing the air, Ashok Panigrahi stated that he is going to join the BJP but not will demand nomination.
Also Read: BJP will win Bijepur bypoll: Dharmendra Pradhan
BJD has already nominated Rita Sahu, wife of late Congress leader Subal Sahu, whose death necessitated the bypoll as its candidate.
Also Read: Bijepur bypoll: Late Cong MLA Subal Sahu’s wife named BJD candidate
BJD Vice President, Surya Narayan Patro said, “Panigrahi is a good organizer but it is difficult to defeat our candidate.”
Senior Congress leader and former PCC President Niranjan Patnaik stated that Congress will gain considerably in the ongoing fight between BJD and BJP.
https://youtu.be/7oUrM_S5DEI
She submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding action against the professor.
Prior to it, the woman had visited the State BJP office and submitted a memorandum addressed to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State BJP President Basant Panda.
Earlier on Friday, the woman, hailing from West Bengal, had lodged an FIR at Mahila police station here alleging sexual harassment by IIT Bhubaneswar Professor PD Reddy and some officials of the institute for helping him.
The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of IIT Bhubaneswar had earlier conducted a probe on the allegations and termed the allegations baseless in its report. The woman had however challenged the report’s veracity.
"We are not bothered about the visits of Shah. We have Lord Jagannath's blessings (Jagannath Saha). They have guarded the booth in the name of 'Mo Booth Sabuthu Majboot', but we have kept a close watch on every ward. They should not forget that a booth consists of four wards," Maharathy said.
He further claimed that BJD will undoubtedly return to power in State. "We have made a clean sweep in the recent election in Deogarh. In Komna, BJP State president Basant Panda was trounced in own area. So, victory is always in favour of Naveen only" Maharathy added.
In a strong response to the Pipili legislator, BJP State president Basant Panda lambasted the BJD and its leaders for behaving like dictators.
"Naveen Patnaik considers himself as a dictator and his followers are giving remarks like this. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is in the clutches of arrogance now," Basant Panda said.
"They win due to massive use of money, muscles and gross misutilisation of power in only one constituency. That doesn't mean they are guaranteed of victory all over Odisha. Maharathy perhaps doesn't know the meaning of Lord Jagannath," Panda maintained.
The rising popularity of Modi and Shah has scared the BJD, he pointed out.
BJP on Sunday informed that party national president will visit the State again in September.
Also Read : BJP plans month long programme to strengthen base, Amit Shah’s tour in Sep
After returning from his 5-day New Delhi tour to attend the 200th anniversary of Paika Rebellion on Sunday, Naveen admitted to conspiracies being hatched to malign the party.
All the allegations are malicious, fabricated and false. We will take legal action if needed
- Naveen Patnaik
However, BJP alleged that instead of replying to the actual question, the CM is trying to divert the topic by asserting that his party will take legal recourse and there is no coherence in EC affidavit and the statements of the party.
In a press meet today, BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty questioned whether the money deposited in the ruling party’s bank account is amassed through percentage commissioning in works and water resources departments and the money received as funds from the chit fund companies that duped lakhs of investors in the State.
Replying to a media question on BJD’s win in Nuapada, Naveen said the BJP came third in the Zilla Parisad (ZP) election. Besides, taking a dig at the BJP president from the district, the CM said Basant Panda couldn’t even win a single seat.
Also Read: Dubious funding: Naveen should make BJD’s transactions public, says BJP
On the other hand, senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said BJP, BJD or Congress, no parties can come clear on the expenses incurred during elections, adding that all want to grab power by using illegal means.
In a meeting organised here at the party headquarters, the state BJP president Basant Panda announced that the party has revoked Mishra’s suspension after he admitted his mistake and, in written, said that he would follow and work as per the party guidelines.
Nine Zilla Parishad (ZP) members of Sambalpur district, newly-elected ZP chairperson Radhashyam Barik and BJP state executive member Nauri Nayak were suspended from the party for six years for defying the decision of the party leadership, disrespecting the party symbol and humiliating the party State vice president Sameer Mohanty in March.
Also Read: Jayanarayan Mishra among 11 suspended from BJP for 6 yrs
Earlier, Mishra had told that he did nothing against the party and unnecessary confusion was created during the ZP elections. He had also stated, “I worked for the party for 35 years. I have always been loyal towards the party. I was in BJP, am still there and will always remain in the party.”
"The officials have identified 17 differently-abled people who will get pension. In the first phase, 12 people will get the pension. They have assured us that the rest will also get soon," said a villager Damayanti Hati.
The village is not affected by any type of disease. Only two to three families have been found with disabilities, said Nuapada chief district medical officer (CDMO) Jagadish Mahanand adding, "Genetic or hereditary factors might be the reason behind these cases."
Later, Odisha BJP president and Nuapada MLA Basant Panda visited the village and discussed with the doctors on the issue.
OTV had earlier reported about the apathy of the State government towards the differently-abled people living in the village and stressed on the need for a high level team of doctors to take a stock of the situation.
Well known Sukinda BJD leader Pradeep Bal Samant alias Tutu Bal, who had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly election in 2014, joined BJP along with his supporters.
Congress leaders reached the local party office in grand procession and formally wore the saffron cap as a symbol of BJP. Nayagarh district Congress chief Lala Manoj Ray, who quit his post yesterday, was one among others to shake hands with saffron leaders. Similarly, three other leaders of the grand old party in Keonjhar district-former MLA Dhanurjay Siddhu, PCC secretary (organisation) Prithivraj Kuanar, well known leader of Patana Satyaban Nayak- acquired the primary membership of BJP along with hundreds of supporters.
The BJP considered joining of the new leaders as an asset for the party. "It is matter of pleasure that several leaders have embraced BJP with a particular strategy and focus. It will be a boost for the party ", union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
BJD took it as a normal practice. "Quitting a party and joining another is a common practice and it will continue till general election. As BJP is trying to poke nose into other parties, some from that party are also being attracted by others", BJD spokesman Pratap Deb said.
The Congress said the leaders are joining other party with a vested interest. “Those, who aspire to be an MP or MLA or a businessman, are joining BJP as they have no option in Congress", Niranjan Patnaik said, accepting that such move will weaken the party.
Clarifying his earlier version on misutilisation of farm loan, the veteran BJD leader said the land lords are spending the loan money in alcohol consumption. “I have not said that the ryots are utilising the loan for consuming alcohol. Rather they are deprived of availing loan which I have been demanding since long. But, the landlords are indulging in amusement with loan money by consuming liquor and marrying off their daughters”, Rout stated.
His clarification came in the wake of CM Naveen Patnaik’s rejection of the statement as ‘incorrect’ and sharp criticism from Opposition BJP. “I don’t think it is correct,” Patnaik said in reply to mediapersons.
On the other hand, BJP also came down heavily on the Paradip strong man and demanded an unconditional apology from him for making such irresponsible comments.
“It is an insult to the entire state and the farming community. He should tender unconditional apology and withdraw his statement. I think he showed a symbol defeat by making such comments,” BJP state president Basant Panda said.
Most excitement was seen in the BJP party office. Delighted upon the results of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the party celebrated Holi in a very pompous way. Senior leaders of the party enjoyed the festival with many party activists.
BJP State President Basant Panda, talking to media persons said, "There is no dispute between anybody, we are all united and today on the occassion of Holi and Dola Purnima we have become one. Being one we have to take oath at Assembly for development of society excluding discrimination on basis of party, belief, caste and colour."
Similarly Holi was celebrated by Congress at Congress Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Many senior leaders and party activists gathered there exchanged sweets among them and expressed Holi greetings.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Prasad Harichandan celebrating Holi with blind children said, "The festival has great importance in our social lives, it is a festival of enjoyment, of togetherness, of colours, of happiness which we are celebrating with the children. There is nothing more cheerful than this that we are able to play Holi with the children who are unable to see the colours."
On the other hand BJD has also celebrated Holi. Veteran BJD leader and Excise Minister Damodar Rout enjoyed the festival with party activists.
Rout wished happiness for all saying, "This Holi festival may bring happiness for all and they may be involved in rare love by forgetting jealously and living as friends. May any natural calamity not strike us, is my prayer near the Lord on the occasion of Holi."
State BJP president Basant Kumar Panda had informed that the party will demonstrate at all the District headquarters in the State demanding Maharathy's dismissal for giving false information on the suicidal death of Khainu Bagarti alias Hadu.
“The minister has misled the Assembly by reading out a wrong statement and should be sacked,” Panda had said.
On the other hand Maharathy has ordered a re-probe on the case. Talking to media persons yesterday, Maharathy said, "My statements were based on the report presented by the District Collector. How can I say from what source did the Collector get the report.”
Maharathy had landed into controversy for his statement in the Assembly on March 4. He had said the farmer had consumed poison after a quarrel with his wife and the cause of his death was not crop loss or debt burden.
The deceased farmer Hadu Bagarti’s wife Kalabati had rejected the minister’s statement and claimed she did not have any quarrel with her husband.
“No one had visited our home, we do not know of any government official visiting us, the minister is telling lies, I and my husband have never quarrelled,” was the reaction of Kalabati after hearing Maharathy's statement.
As he landed into the controversy for giving statements based on the joint-probe report of Tehsildar and Assistant Agriculture Officer, Maharathy has instructed the Bargarh district Collector Anjan Kumar Manik to personally probe the case and submit a report on it.
“It is unfortunate that after ruling for 17 years, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik could have developed Odisha to a large extent, but the government is oppressing people and people are also sensing a paralysed and inefficient government,” said Panda to media persons.
“Earlier I had briefed media persons that Biju Patnaik is a symbol of self-respect for Odisha, his birth anniversary is a holy occasion and it should not be politicised, but now it has been politicised,” he added.
Panda opined, “If experts will compare the difference between Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik, the dreams of Biju Babu has been shattered by the party framed in his name and no traits of the statesman is being seen in Naveen.”
Earlier in the day the Chief Minister had alleged the Central Government of closing many public welfare programmes and schemes. Addressing the masses he said, “The Central Government has closed many programmes ignoring the interest of tribal and backward class people. But in view of the public interest we are continuing the programmes from own funds.”
Counting the achievements of his party, Patnaik said, “Visible improvement has been seen in various sectors in the State. A vast change has been seen in between the Odisha of the year 2000 and now including development in infrastructure, increase in employment, production and investment in various sectors.”
Women have also been empowered and youths have gained self confidence in the State, added the Chief Minister.
District leaders have arrived near the BJP core committee to present the details of victory and defeat. A closed door review was done by the saffron party at the State headquarters. While the meeting was headed by State President Basant Panda, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, National Joint Secretary (Organisation) Soudan Singh and Odisha In-charge Arun Singh were among the few who were present in the meeting.
After official declaration of the panchayat poll results, 297 Zilla Parishad seats came in hand of BJP. However, based on the calculations of party agents the state leaders had added 34 more seats in the account of BJP. As the party has earned majority in eight districts, it can form Zilla Parishads there. The current factors that led to BJP's victory in comparison to 2012 rural polls are being reviewed by the party leaders.
Talking to media persons, former BJP MP Rudra Narayan Pani said, "The organisation is increasing in a planned way during every election in Dhenkanal and Angul districts and the amount of votes have increased. While the ruling BJD confined us at 25 seats, we could have earned five to seven more seats and could have formed Zilla Parishads comfortably in two districts."
State BJP Krushak Morcha president Sibaji Mohanty said, "Analysis was done in panchayat level to find our position in every panchayats, who is our opposition there and what is our margin."
Notably, even though the BJP was in alliance with BJD in 2002 and 2007, the performance of the party was not so good. The party had won 183 seats in 2002 and 129 seats in 2007. After breaking the alliance and contesting alone in 2012 the party had received only 36 seats. So now the leaders are excited to have achieved such an increase in votes. The party is planning for the 2019 elections on basis of these votes. The core committee members have asked the local leaders to strengthen the party.
BJP Mahila Morcha President Prabhati Parida talking to media persons said, "A form had been sent to find out the amount of our votes and votes of other parties and all had been asked to submit the form along with signatures. The core committee sat to plan the strategies for the Nabakalebara to be held in 2019 as said by the State leaders."
It may be mentioned that the BJP was not able to open account in 14 districts during 2012 elections. In current election, excluding the home district of State President Basant Panda, Nuapada, BJP has marked its presence in every districts of Odisha.
Though the Opposition Congress and BJP have formulated strategies to corner the government on a host of major issues, their common agenda will be the gross irregularities by the ruling BJD in the Panchayat polls which concluded today.
“There has been gross misuse of government machinery in the Panchayat polls this year in which the government staffs have been used as the agents of the ruling BJD. Apart from this, huge expenditure has been made by the ruling party to win the elections,” leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra said.
State BJP president Basant Panda said his party would raise the issue relating to the violence perpetrated by the BJD in the panchayat polls. “Apart from this, our party would also raise farmers’ issues, distress sale of paddy, irregularities in mandis, ration card irregularities, dearth of teachers in schools and vacant post of doctors in rural areas of the state,” he added.
Senior BJD leader and Parliamentary Affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said the state government is always ready to discuss the issues raised by the Opposition relating to the interest of the people of the state. “On behalf of the ruling party, we will also raise major issues concerning Odisha such as Mahanadi, Polavaram and KBK for discussion in the House,” he added.
As per the notification issued by the Assembly secretariat, the budget session will have two phases.
Governor SC Jamir will address the Assembly on the first day and discussion on budget to be held between February 23 and 25, the notification said.
On February 27, Finance minister Pradip Amat will present the budget for financial year 2017-18. The first phase session will continue till March 4.
The second phase will begin from March 14 and continue till April 7, the notification added.
As per the unofficial results, out of the four Zilla Parishad seats in Narasinghpur block in Cuttack district, BJP has wrested three seats. The four Zilla Parishads are presently under control by senior BJD and minister Debi Prasad Mishra.
In Mayurbhanj district, the saffron party has struck a telling blow to two BJD heavyweights—minister Sudam Marandi and Deputy Speaker Sananda Marandi— as it has grabbed 12 out of 15 Zilla Parishad zones.
In Kalahandi district, minister Pushpendra Singhdeo has received a jolt as the BJP has made a clean sweep in all nine Zilla Parishad zones with three each in Koksara, Dharmagarh and Jayapatna zones.
Similar is the fate of another minister Snehangini Chhuria as the BJP has captured five out of seven Zilla Parishad zones in Bargarh district.
The sterling performance of the saffron party in Bolangir district has baffled minister Jogendra Behera and senior Congress leader and leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra as it has wrested six out of seven Zilla Parishad zones in Agalpur, Puintala and Loisinga blocks.
On the other hand, BJD has grabbed three Zilla Parishad seats under Kanas block which the Congress had captured in the previous Panchayat polls under the leadership of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan.
Besides, loss of two Zilla Parishad seats in Nuapada district to the BJD has put BJP state president Basant Panda in an embarrassing situation.
State president of BJP Basant Panda presented the memorandum of allegations in a press meet at the party headquarters and targeted chief minister Naveen Patnaik over his government’s incompetence.
Panda questioned Naveen Patnaik on why Odisha is a lagging state in agriculture, education, health, electricity, housing, industrialization and employment.
Panda also flayed the state government’s habit of alleging ‘central negligence’ despite adequate financial aid by the Centre.
Also Read: BJP team visits Malkangiri to review JE situation; denied police security
“Today Odisha is lagging behind in the development yardstick. Is chief minister Naveen Patnaik not responsible for this? Is CM’s announcement of constructing 10 lakh pucca houses and donating it to the poor in 2 years not false? If the CM is right, then will he make public the list of names of beneficiaries in the past two years? 41% of the families in Odisha are yet to receive electricity connection, while 15000 villages don’t have roads. Whatever assistance the Centre is providing, the State government is managing with it, but still it is ruing about Central negligence. If the ruling party has the guts, then the BJP is giving an open invitation for a debate on these issues,” said Panda.
Replying to BJP’s move, BJD spokesperson, Sashibhushan Behera said “It has become a habit of the saffron party to criticize the Odisha government and CM Naveen Patnaik. As BJP’s national president Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Odisha, the party here is undertaking this exercise as it fears that Amit Shah might once again laud Naveen Patnaik and his government.”
The five-member BJP team including Pradhan are scheduled to reach Dariguda and Kalkunda villages of the district which are most affected by the Encephalitis and have talks with the locals. Besides, the team will visit the Malkangiri district headquarters hospital to assess the situation followed by discussion with elders of the locality.
Informing the newsmen about the BJP team’s Malkangiri visit, Panda said, “Tomorrow the team including the Union Oil Minister will tour the district to know the ground reality and have talks with locals followed by a visit the district headquarters hospital. The team will submit a report to the Centre so that a way will be found out how it will involve itself more into the distribution of assistance to Odisha, which is already going on.”
Panda further stated, “Earlier, the Union Oil Minister’s visit, scheduled to be on November 4, was deferred on basis of a recommendation from the State government asking him not to tour the areas on the day.”
When informed about the demands made by BJD asking for the Prime Minister’s visit to Malkangiri district, Panda retorted, “The chief minister and BJD party supremo must have gone to the encephalitis-hit areas which is why the ruling party leaders are asking for a tour of the Prime Minister to the district. From his action, it seems the chief minister is having so much knowledge but lacks common sense.”
Mounting his attacks on the ruling party, Panda added, “The Chief Minister has never visited either Nagada or the Sishu Bhavan in Cuttack or the Malkangiri district where child deaths occurred. First he (Patnaik) should make a self-assessment and try to reach out the people of the State as they have reposed their faith on BJD during past four Assembly elections.”
Also read: Dharmendra Pradhan for fact-finding team to probe Odisha children deaths
He further stated, “Due to the inept attitude and incompetency of the ruling party, Odisha is facing humiliation and shame. The Chief Minister and BJD should think how people of the State should be able to raise their head with pride again.”
The BJP state unit chief said from the day child deaths begun in Malkangiri district due to the encephalitis, the party volunteers has been providing of milk, warm water and creating awareness in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, with two more child deaths at the Malkangiri district headquarters hospital today, the number of deaths has reached 105 so far.
While the Opposition Congress and BJP will try to corner the government over the issues like the Mahanadi, Polavaram, Kandhamal firing, Nagada deaths, the ruling BJD has also prepared itself to counter the opposition onslaught.
“The Congress will target the state government on several issues including Mahanadi, Nagada malnutrition deaths, Kandhamal firing, deteriorating health services and dismal education scenario. The chief minister will clarify the death of 21 malnourished children in Nagada in the State Assembly”, Leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra told media persons after presiding over the meeting of the party legislature.
BJP state unit president Basant Panda said his party will rake up issues relating to brutal killing of innocent people of Gumudumaha village in Kandhamal district by the SOG personnel and suicide of Home Guard Sandip Hati and input subsidy.
On the other hand, the ruling BJD has also done the home work to counter the Opposition onslaught.
“We shall take up various matters of serious concern in the floor of the House like the Mahandi water issue, Polavaram, and slashing of crucial funds by the Government of India which has not considered Odisha to be a part of the industrial corridor in the country”, BJD supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik told media persons after presiding over the BJD legislature party meeting.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said his party will raise the issue of Central apathy towards Odisha on key issues like Mahanadi, Polavaram and arbitrary slashing of funds from major welfare schemes.
He said at least 12 Bills would be tabled in the nine-day session which will conclude on September 29.
Earlier in the day, senior police officers including Director General of Police KB Singh, police commissioner YB Khurania and Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi went round the State Assembly premises to oversee security provisions.
Talking to the media later, the DGP said elaborate security provisions have been made to ward off any untoward incident during the Assembly session.
“To maintain law and order, 4 Assistant DCPs, 12 Assistant Commandants, 35 platoons of force, 100 Sub Inspectors and Assistant Sub Inspectors have been deployed. Apart from this, security has also been tightened in the airport, railway station and bus stands in the city”, Singh informed.
Soon after his appointment, Singhdeo said he will discharge his new responsibility with all sincerity.
“I had told the State and Central leadership that I don’t want to take the charge and it should be given to a young leader. Despite my reluctance, since they have reposed faith in me for the party’s benefits and given me the responsibility, I will try to meet their expectations. I, along with the MLAs, will highlight various issues in Odisha in the Assembly,” Singhdeo stated.
Political analysts feel, by passing the baton from Panda to Singhdeo ahead of the panchayat polls in January next year, the saffron party wants to increase its vote share, which had risen significantly in the 2014 general elections during the latter’s tenure.
In the last election, the party had won one Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats and its vote share increased by about 50 per cent compared to previous polls.
The rise in BJP’s vote share sounded a warning bell for the ruling BJD in Odisha as the difference between the votes bagged by the two parties was not very huge at many places, analysts said.
The BJP wants to cash in on recent issues like the Kandhamal killings, Nagada malnutrition deaths and Brahmaparivartan fiasco during the Nabakalebar last year, which have pushed the ruling party to the back foot, they noted.
This will be the first meeting of the State executive after Basant Panda took over as president of Odisha unit.
Two Union Ministers from the State, Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, will also attend the event.
The party will discuss issues to target the ruling BJD in the coming days. It will highlight the drinking water crisis staring at rural Odisha, unscheduled power cuts in many parts, shortage of doctors and several other issues during the two-day meeting. Programmes to strengthen the party’s organisation will also be discussed.
Moreover, the party will discuss ways to create awareness about various social programs of the central government and steps to be taken to make them reach to the needy people, BJP sources said.
The newly appointed office-bearers had met yesterday.
BJP state in-charge Arun Singh and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan will attend the meeting, said sources.
Refuting talk that the joint meeting will discuss the next the Legislature Party leader, the party’s State President Basant Panda said, “The new BJP LP leader will not be elected during the meeting.”
He further stated, “The State unit of the BJP has requested the Central leadership to send observers for the election of the legislature party leader and the process will begin after that,” adding that the party’s LP leader is likely to be elected after the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled to held on March 19 and 20.
After Panda, who was holding the post of BJP LP leader, was appointed as the State President, the party has to choose a new legislature party leader. The party’s constitution bars a leader from holding two posts simultaneously.
Former BJP State President KV Singhdeo, who was being talked about as the next LP leader, told OTV, “I am not interested to be the BJP LP leader and have already discussed this with the party’s MLAs and state in-charge.”
When asked what would happen in case his name is chosen for the BJP LP leader, Singhdeo retorted, “I will decline that.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Election of the LP leader is the discretion of the party’s Parliamentary board. At right time, they will take the right decision.”
Another Union minister Jual Oram said, “Election of the BJP LP is due. The party’s President and his team will take the decision and everyone will respect that.”
BJP MLA from Kuchinda Rabi Naik is stated to be also the fron-runner for the BJP LP post.
As per the announcement made at the party’s state headquarters office here, the new team has four general secretaries, seven vice presidents and 10 secretaries and a treasurer.
While Sarada Satpathy has replaced Prasanna Mishra as the organisational secretary, Pravati Parida and Tankadhar Tripathy have been appointed as the president of the BJP Mahila Morcha and Yuva Morcha respectively.
Besides, Sivaji Mohanty, Rabi Nayak (MLA), Gobinda Das (MLA), Sk Mahatab Mohammad and Krushna Chandra Patra have been appointed as the president of Krushak Morcha, ST Morcha, SC Morcha, Minority Morcha and Other Backward Caste (OBC) Morcha respectively.
The four general secretaries are Bhrugu Buxipatra, Prithviraj Harichandan, Ranjan Patel and Anant Nayak.
Though there is a constitutional provision of 10 vice presidents, the party has announced the names of seven vice presidents. They are Samir Mohanty, Rajkishore Das, Sukeshi Oram, Nayan Mohanty, Bishnu Sethi, Namita Sahu and Aswini Sarangi.
The 10 secretaries of the new team are Dilip Mallick, Jatin Mohanty, Dhiren Senapati, Simantini Jena, Sovana Mohanty, Sabita Nanda, Bibhuti Jena, Sisir Gamang, Kalindi Samal and Lekhasri Samantsinghar.
Sudarsan Goel of Rourkela has been appointed as the Treasurer.
Besides, the state BJP chief has also appointed four spokespersons. They are, Sajan Sharma, Sudipta Ray, Golakh Mahapatra and Dilip Mohanty.
Apart from this, the saffron party has also announced a list of 38 permanent invitees.
They are Union ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, KV Singhdeo, Biswabhusan Harichandan, Manmohan Samal and Suresh Pujari (ex-state BJP presidents), Giridhar Gamang (ex-chief minister), Dilip Ray (MLA and former Union minister), Bijay Mahapatra, Jayanarayan Mishra, Samir De and Surama Padhi (former ministers), Pradip Purohit, Bibhuti Bhusan Harichandan, Nitish Gangadeb and Duryodhan Majhi (all sitting MLAs), Rama Chandra Panda (former Deputy Speaker), Mohan Majhi (former Deputy Chief Whip), Surendra Kumar Lath, Rudra Narayan Pani, Parsuram Majhi, Sangita Singhdeo, Kumudini Patnaik and Rudra Madhab Ray (all former MPs), Pratap Sarangi, Mohammad Rafiq, Kandra Soren, Sidharth Sekhar Singh, Jitendra Mitra, Karendra Majhi, Sarangdhar Kadraka, Prasanna Patnaik, Sanchita Mohanty, Bhaskar Madhei, Subas Panigrahi, Shankar Oram, Susama Patel and Baidhara Mallick (all former MLAs).
"BJP state president Basant Panda, union ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan, have been rejected by the people of Nuapada, Sundergarh and Dhenkanal-Angul districts," BJD youth wing president and minister Sanjay Dasburma said.
"The BJD is all set to form Zila Parishad Councils in these districts," Dasburma said.
During a press conference, Dasburma, accompanied by party's general secretary Arun Sahoo, accused BJP of adopting 'Goebbels propaganda theory', saying the party is trying to mislead the people of the state.
"The BJP has adopted the Goebbels propaganda theory and attempts to create an impression in the public that they have defeated the ruling BJD," Sahoo said.
As per the theory, if one tells something repeatedly that is utterly false, people will eventually come to believe it.
Claiming that the BJD led by Naveen Patnaik was still the number one political party in the state after winning about 470 to 480 Zila Parishad seats in the panchayat elections, Sahoo said, the BJP's tally could be less than 300.
"While BJD got about 55 per cent of the seats, the opposition parties could only manage to get remaining 45 per cent. BJP could win in 33 per cent of seats," Sahoo said.
He, however, admitted that the BJD's seat share has come down in the panchayat polls and the party was reviewing the situation.
"It is like a day dream for the BJP leaders to aspire victory in the 2019 general elections. BJD will continue to remain in number one position," Sahoo said.
BJP State president Basant Panda in a presser at the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar produced a list of farmers who committed suicide in the recent past and advised the BJD-led government to accept that those farmers took the extreme step due to crop failure.
He also urged the Odisha government to grant compensation to the kin of the deceased farmers at the earliest. Panda also demanded interest-free loan for the farmers of the State.
"The government should accept the deaths of farmers as suicides due to crop failure and like other states, provide assistance," stated Panda.
Speaking about the illegal practices by the millers during paddy procurement, Panda alleged "Food Supplies Minister Surya Narayan Patro has himself accepted that the Food & Civil Supplies Department is being controlled by the millers."
"The State is actually being ruled by a coterie in the third floor (Chief Minister's office in the Secretariat) and the millers are influencing those officials to exploit the farmers of the State." he added.
Panda also alleged that the government has declared drought in nine districts of the State without undertaking field visits.
Responding to Panda's allegations, BJD spokesperson Arun Sahoo said “The State has bagged national “Krishi Karman Award” four times and the packages the farmers of Odisha are given are much better than any other states."
Congress team led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President, Niranjan Patnaik launched the yatra in a bus that will cover several parts of Odisha.
“Our only aim is to hear the grievances of people and reach out to them. People of Odisha have been neglected in the 18 years of BJD rule and four and a half years of BJP at the Centre,” said Patnaik.
Patnaik further said that the Congress team will meet people and party at workers at the grassroots in all the 314 blocks of the State.
Reacting to Congress' campaign, Odisha BJP president, Basant Panda stated that it will not have any impact in the state.
“People very well know how India was lagging behind on several fronts prior to 2014. Any kind of Jan Jagran Yatra will not help Congress to revive itself,” said Panda.
BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy alleged that Congress do not have the capacity to reach out to people.
“Everybody knows what will be the outcome of Congress campaign. They have launched Jan Jagran Yatra but ours is Jan Sampark Padayatra,” said Satpathy.
Satpathy further informed that BJD is making necessary preparations for the upcoming elections and party supremo Naveen Patnaik will take a final decision on candidates.
Significantly, no party ever has succeeded to win Kalahandi Lok Sabha (LS) seat for two consecutive terms (10-year period) since 1980, except in 1984 when former PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated and in 1998-2004 when BJD-BJP had a formidable alliance. Sensing trouble, BJD in a calculated move dropped incumbent MP Arka Keshari Deo and named Dharmagarh MLA Pushpendra Singh Deo candidate from the seat.
The BJP has also changed its strategy and pitted State BJP President Basanta Panda in Kalahandi replacing Pradipta Naik, who lost 2014 battle by a moderate margin of 56,000 votes to BJD's Arka Deo. Notably, BJD to win the 2014 electoral duel had poached Arka Keshari Deo, whose father Bikram Keshari Deo was BJP MP from Kalahandi for 1998-2009.
However, Congress has stuck to senior leader and Chairman of State Congress Campaign Committee Bhakta Charan Das from Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat. Bhakta Das first won in 1989 as Janata Dal candidate, when Bofors storm was sweeping the nation. After losing in 1991, Das again won the seat in 1996 riding on anti-Congress wave in Odisha. He won the Kalahandi seat in 2009 again riding on anti-Vedanta agitation. The analysis shows that Bhakta has triumphed every time riding on a wave. Interestingly, in 2019, no such wave seems to be dictating the political environment in Kalahandi.
Moreover, if the 2017 rural poll results are any indication, then of the 36 Zilla Parishad (ZP) constituencies, BJD won only one and Congress mere two. BJP won a whopping 33 ZP constituencies in Kalahandi. BJP swept the two ZP constituencies in Lanjigarh in 2017, which was the bastion of Congress after Vedanta agitation. BJD had won Lanjigarh ZP in 2014.
The seat is going to witness a triangular fight in 2019. While BJP seems to have an edge in Khariar, BJD has an upper hand in Narla and Dharmagarh. A keen tussle is on the cards in Nuapada, Junagarh and Bhawanipatna.
The Nuapada assembly battle will be fought by BJD's former MLA Rajendra Dholakia, Homsingh Majhi from BJP and Ghasiram Majhi from Congress. Ghasiram had fought on BSP ticket and polled over 13 per cent votes vis-a-vis around 16 per cent votes by Congress in 2009. Moreover, BJP with around 40 per cent won the seat in 2014 to but faced a complete rout in 2017 rural polls. Even, incumbent MLA and State BJP President, Basant Panda is contesting from the Kalahandi LS seat in 2019.
BJD has made new face Lambodar Nial its Khariar candidate. BJP dropped sitting MLA Duryodhan Majhi and declared candidature of Rita Bagarti, wife of former BJP MLA Hitesh Bagarti. Duryodhan Majhi was BJD member till 2009. He re-joined recently post ticket denial. Congress puts up Adhiraj Panigrahi, who was first runner up in 2014 elections.
The Congress party re-nominated former MLA Shibaji Majhi from Lanjhigarh. BJD dropped sitting MLA Balabhadra Majhi and has pitted Pradeep Dishari.
Post declaring Pushpendra Deo as Kalahandi LS candidate, BJD fielded new face Mausidi Bag from Dharamgarh. Ramesh Majhi from BJP and Digambar Dhuria from Congress are in the fray.
Congress candidate Sagar Das, son of Bhakta Das, and Pradeep Nayak from BJP are giving a fight to BJD's Dushmant Naik, who is the sitting MLA and has switched over to BJD from Congress.
While Bhupinder Singh from BJD is candidate in Narla, BJP has fielded Anirudh Pradhan and Congress Chitaranjan Mandal.
Congress declared Anil Singh Deo from Junagarh, BJP fielded Manoj Meher, kin of BJP leader Himansu Meher. BJD has re-nominated sitting MLA Dibya Sankar Mishra.
CANDIDATES PROFILE - KALAHANDI LOK SABHA
Basanta Panda: Bharatiya Janata Party
*Age - 59 years, Education: 12 pass
*Currently State President of BJP
*Sitting MLA from Nuapada
* Number of criminal cases - 5
*Profession - Cultivation, Assets - Rs45Lakh
Pushpendra Singh Deo: Biju Janata Dal
*Age - 52 years, Education: 10th pass, Diploma in civil engg.
*Sitting MLA Dharmagarh, Lineage of Kalahandi Royal family
* No criminal cases
* Profession - cultivation, MLA, Assets - Rs1crore
Bhakta Charan Das: Indian National Congress
*Age - 60 years, Education: BA, LLB
*Senior leader & Chairman State Cong Campaign Committee
*Number of criminal cases - 1
*Profession - Legal consultancy & social service
*Assets - around Rs1crore.
KALAHANDI ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES
NUAPADA
Ghasiram Majhi: Indian National Congress
* Age - 55 years, Education: B Com, LLB
* Former MLA from Nuapada
*Number of criminal cases - 1
*Profession - Advocacy, Assets - 66lakhs
Rajendra Dholakia: Biju Janata Dal
*Age - 63 years, Education - B. Com
*1st Runner up in 2014 elections
*Number of criminal cases - Nil
*Profession - Social worker. Assets - Rs 1crore.
Homsingh Majhi: Bharatiya Janata Party
*No data available in public domain
KHARIAR
Lambodar Nial: Biju Janata Dal
*Age - 51years, Education - 12th Pass
*2nd Runner up in 2014 elections
*Number of criminal cases - 2
*Profession - Cultivation Assets - Rs48 lakhs
Adhiraj Panigrahi: Indian National Congress
*Age - 42 years Education - 12th Pass
*1st Runner up in 2014 elections
*Number of criminal cases - 3
*Profession - Business Assets - Rs 2crore
RITA BAGARTI: Bharatiya Janata Party
*Wife of former BJP MLA from Khariar Hitesh Bagarti
*Hitesh Bagarti was arrested in Chit Fund scam
*No further data available in public domain
LANJHIGARH
SHIBAJI MAJHI: Indian National Congress
*Congress MLA from the seat in 2009
*Age - 47 years Education - 10th Pass
*Number of criminal cases - 1
*Profession - Political leader, Assets - Rs 12lakhs
PRADEEP DISHARI: Biju Janata Dal
*Former Congress leader
*Age - 43 years Education - Graduate
*Number of criminal cases - Nil
*Profession - Cultivation &Social service Assets - Rs 18 Lakhs
RAMESH MAJHI: Bharatiya Janata Party
No data available in public domain
DHARMAGARH
Ananta Pratap Deo: Bharatiya Janata Party
*Crown prince of Kalahandi
*No further data available in public domain
BHAWANIPATNA
Dushmant Naik: Biju Janata Dal
*Sitting Congress MLA but joined BJD last year
*Age - 52 years Education - 10th Pass
*Number of criminal cases - Nil
*Profession - Agriculturist & Social activist Assets - Rs 87 lakhs
Sagar Das: Indian National Congress
*Son of prominent Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das
*No further data available on public domain
Pradeep Nayak: Bharatiya Janata Party
* No data available in public domain
NARLA
Bhupinder Singh: Biju Janata Dal
*Former Leader of Opposition, joined BJD in 2014
*BJD nominated him to Rajya Sabha
*Age - 68 years Education - MA LLB
*Number of criminal cases - Nil
* Profession - Social service Assets - Rs 2crore
Anirudh Pradhan: Bharatiya Janata Party
* No data available in public domain
Chittaranjan Majhi: Indian National Congress
*No data available in public domain
The development came after Jayashree’s daughter, Bijayani Mishra, who has been pursuing the case, insisted that her mother was killed.
Bijayani also alleged that no headway was made in the case while the officials of Town Police only registered a station diary after her mother went missing way back in 2011.
However, the Police officials were forced to register a murder case basing on the petition filed by Bijayani with senior officials.
Carrying out fresh investigations, cops nabbed the prime accused Basant Panda on July 22, 2019 while the skull remains suspected to be that of the deceased were exhumed today.
The entire proceedings were done by the forensic experts in the presence of a magistrate.
“My mother had gone to distribute invitation cards for the marriage of my elder sister when she reportedly went missing in 2011. Despite repeated attempts, no action was taken by the police officials who kept on saying that my mother had eloped with someone,” said Bijayani.
Bijayani further informed that two years after she took up the case, she left for Delhi to pursue higher education.
“It was only in 2018 that we came to know that the accused Basant Panda was regularly visiting the village. I was shocked that cops had only registered a station diary in connection with the incident,” she added.
As per reports, Jayashree had gone missing on October 13, 2011. Though Jayashree’s family members had lodged a complaint with Town Police Station in connection with the incident, no step was allegedly taken by the cops.
Later, Jayashree’s daughter filed a petition with the Director General of Police which reportedly forced the cops to carry out a fresh investigation. Subsequently, the prime accused was nabbed on July 22, 2019 .
Pradhan, accompanied by BJP MPs Sangita Singh Deo and Basant Panda, made aerial survey of some of the severely affected districts - Bolangir, Kalahandi, Boudh and Subarnapur - which were battered by heavy rain recently.
The Oil and Steel Minister also interacted with a number of people who were hit by the recent flash flood and heard their grievances after conducting aerial survey of the affected areas.
Pradhan said he reviewed the status of ongoing relief and restoration work in affected areas of Bolangir with senior officials of the district administration and stakeholders.
While appreciating the efforts of locals, officials and journalists in reaching out to help the people in distress, the Union Minister said heavy rain and floods have caused massive damage to crops, houses and infrastructure.
He urged the officials to complete damage analysis at the earliest and requested the district collector to prepare a roadmap and initiate steps to provide Mudra loans to small businesses and vendors .
Noting that Bolangir was one amongst the prime minister's aspirational districts, Pradhan urged everybody to come together to help rebuild lives of people affected by the flood in the district.
The minister also visited Laxmizor Dam at Barpalipada in Balangir district and interacted with the affected people.
He heard their grievances and suggestions for relief works and speedy restoration in the area.
Pradhan said he will ensure that all forms of assistance is made available for the affected people after detailed report prepared by the district is sent to the state government and then forwarded to the Centre.
Meanwhile, the overall rain and flash flood situation improved substantially in different parts of Odisha.
The water level in all the major rivers, including the Mahanadi, in the state is receding, an official in the Special Relief Commissioner's (CRC) office said.
Cooked food was still being provided to over 22,000 people in free kitchens in Bolangir and Sonepur districts.
Three camps are operating in Puri, Khurda and Cuttack districts where cooked food is being provided to around 580 people, he said.
As rainfall in the upper catchments of Mahanadi river subsided, the Hirakud dam authorities on Saturday closed five gates of the dam. Earlier excess water from Hirakud dam was being released through 20 gates while 10 gates were closed on Friday, the SRC office said.
"Five gates of Hirakud dam were closed today. The water level of the reservoir will be maintained between 619 feet and 620 feet," Water Resources Secretary P K Jena said.
The water level in Hirakud stood at 620.12 feet at 6 pm as against the full reservoir capacity of 630 feet, while the inflow at the dam was 1,07,257 cusec and outflow 96,210 cusec, an official said.
Water discharge in Mahanadi river was at 2,91,000 cusec at Khairmal, while it was 2,93,500 cusec at Barmul and 5,24,172 cusec at Munduli in Cuttack at 6 pm, he said.
The water level in Mahanadi river at Naraj in Cuttack was 25.26 metre at 6 pm as against the danger level of 26.41 metre, he added.
Senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati, however, stated that he would urge the party high command not to change the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) leadership and Niranjan Patnaik should continue till the upcoming civic polls in the State.
“The change in leadership will not favour party as civic body polls are round the corner. I will urge the party high command to back Niranjan Patnaik,” said Bahinipati.
Bahnipati further stated that though Congress workers at the grassroots level are united, there is some divide among the senior leaders.
“I urge senior leaders including Jayadev Jena, Sarat Rout and Niranjan Patnaik to come together so that Congress performs well in the urban body elections in Odisha,” Bahinipati added.
Congress MLA Sura Routray, on the other hand, said “The meeting has been convened so that Congress can be strengthened before 2024.”
Not only Congress, other major political parties including BJD and BJP are also leaving no stone unturned to rectify the mistakes and are trying to set their own houses in order.
BJP’s membership drive, which began on July 6, concluded today and party will soon gear up to appoint State president and block and district presidents as part of its strategy to reorganize the party at the grassroots level.
Though speculations are rife that party might re-appoint Basant Panda as State president, names of Sundergarh MP Jual Oram and Vice-president Samir Mohanty are also doing rounds.
“From booth committees to the central committee, new leaders will be appointed and everything will be done in a democratic manner,” said BJP spokesperson, Golak Mohapatra.
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) too is not far behind in pacifying the discontent among several leaders by rehabilitating them in key organizations. Recently, 36 leaders were appointed as chairman of several corporations and now the party wants to reorganize the youth, students and women’s wings. It is believed that party supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik might appoint new leaders for all the party units in a day or two.
“Be it booth committee formation or any other work, BJD is focusing on reorganization which is currently underway,” said BJD MLA, Amar Satpathy.
If granted permission and everything goes as planned, this will not only improve the fishing channels but also provide support to the fishermen.
Responding to Panda's letter dated September 17, the Union Minister stated that the matter has been forwarded to concerned officials for necessary action.
ନୂଆପଡ଼ା ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ମତ୍ସ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପଦ ଯୋଜନା ଦ୍ବାରା ଫିସ୍ରିଜ କଲଚର୍ ମହାବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ ପାଇଁ ମାନନୀୟ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @girirajsinghbjp ଜୀଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁରୋଧ ରଖିଥିଲି। ଉକ୍ତ ପତ୍ରର ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଇଥିବାରୁ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ମହୋଦୟଙ୍କୁ କୃତଜ୍ଞତା ସହ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ। pic.twitter.com/AySO1f0cpD
— Basanta Kumar Panda (@basantpandabjp) September 29, 2020
The major aim of the government behind Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is:
Biofloc Fish Farming: Earning Opportunity For Odisha Youths During COVID-19 Pandemic
"Fisheries is the best alternative by which we can double farmers income. One Fisheries college in western Odisha is highly essential to create more human resources in this sector. This will directly motivate educated youth for fish farming which reduce unemployment and migration," said a tweep.
The PMMS scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 10, 2020.