Weeklyroundups

Odisha has failed to tap Mahanadi

In PRI elections in Odisha, the BJD wanted to make the Mahanadi row an election plank but it fell flat. The Odisha CM didn’t agree to resolve the issue mutually and wanted a tribunal at any cost knowing well that the issue will linger in the tribunal and his party will catch fat fish from the dirty water of Mahanadi. The CM wanted the tribunal to come through the SC route so that he can conveniently blame the BJP Government. But the issue is not likely to hold water because of the Government’s callous approach to the issue in the beginning when Chhattisgarh started construction of barrages on the catchment area of Mahanadi. There is no denying of the fact that the Mahanadi is getting dry during non monsoon days. But it also cannot be denied that more than 50 per cent water is entering into the sea. Who stopped the Government to construct barrages on the lower Mahanadi basin all these years? Agreed, there was a huge protest when Kapasira, Godhaneswar, and Sindhol dam projects were announced for construction. Given an alternative, people would not have raised a hue and cry. Is it not a foolishness of the Government to go for barrages after long years of silence, that too when the cost of construction has gone up several times? A positive approach always yields positive result. Going against Chhattisgarh and targeting the BJP Government of the Centre to settle a political score has hardly any offer for the rain-fed farmers of the State. The Chhattisgarh Government is conserving water both for farmers and industries but the Government of Odisha is interested to satisfy only the industrialists ignoring the farmers. Therefore, the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Odisha Government has failed to harness the Mahanadi water for irrigation purpose is a fait accompli.

Challenges for Naveen many ahead 2019

Challenges for CM Naveen Patnaik in 2018, the last year of his fourth term, are many. The BJD supremo will face a daunting task to change MLAs representing their constituencies for more than two terms as many of them have become complacent and lost touch with people. While replacing them with new blood, there will be problems from those deprived of tickets and the CM will have to manage the situation effectively and check the probable exodus from the party into the waiting arms of BJP and Congress. At the district and constituency level, Patnaik will have to take steps to resolve differences among party men and take care of disgruntled elements. Growing crimes against women on which the BJP has launched a State-wide campaign need a serious introspection and steps to tackle. This, coupled with the deteriorating law and order situation, will be potential to damage Patnaik’s image. Other challenges include putting a check on large scale corruption at all stages of the administration as alleged by the Opposition political parties and steps for fulfilling all the promises made in the 2014 election manifesto. Besides, the CM will have a tough time to defend the Rs 59 crore mining scam, land scam in Bhubaneswar, Dal scam under mid-day meal, lease allotment of minor minerals, distribution of work orders for irrigation projects and agriculture input subsidy to farmers which have found prominently among the list of 36 charges framed by BJP. There will be posers even from the Congress camp and one of the charges of the OPCC chief against Patnaik is that the BJD Government destroyed Odisha during the last 18 years as there has been increase in unemployment with rising farmers woes and no development in the condition of tribals and Dalits.

Is Dilip Ray finally joining BJD?

Speculations are rife that Rourkela BJP MLA Dilip Ray is finally joining BJD. According to sources close to him, a tacit

understanding with BJD supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik has been made and the prodigal son has finally made up his mind for a homecoming. Sources further said that he would be given charge of Sundargarh district unit of the BJD with powers to distribute ticket. Mangla Kisan and Subrat Tarai have already been earmarked for Rajgangpur and Raghunathpali Assembly constituencies and for the rest five constituencies, the search is on. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see whether strong aspirant for Rourkela seat Sarada Prasad Nayak is accommodated or Ray himself fights from the constituency. Nayak is an arch bête noire of Ray and only a direct intervention of the CM can go in his favour. Similarly, the BJP will not interfere in Jual Oram’s Sundargarh organisation though Jual won the last MP election on Ray’s support. In the recent election for RSP’s recognised union, RIKKS supported by Jual and his supporters came out victorious leaving behind Rourkela Shramik Sangha in the second place with tacit support of Ray. Categorically stating that mati (soil) is bigger than the party, Ray has already made his intention clear. He never categorically commented against BJP’s failure to start the PM’s promised projects of 2nd bridge over river Brahmani and the super specialty hospital for IGH. Despite BJP’s wrath for his reaction, he survived only because the issues had the backing of the Rourkela public at large. According to Jual, work for the second bridge over river Brahmani has already started with preliminary sanction of Rs 10 crore.

Sohela firing mastermind off hook

BJP leader Jayanarayan Mishra was arrested on grounds of his alleged involvement in the attempt to murder case against the brother of Labour Minister Sushanta Singh. That due to his illness Mishra has been referred to AIIMS, New Delhi is a different matter. The murder of the driver who sustained injuries remains a mystery as he succumbed on the way while being transferred from VIMSAR to SCB for better treatment. Allegations are rife that the driver was killed on his way to SCB by goons of the minister as he would have become witness in the case. But what about the ashram owner of Sohela who is suspected as the mastermind of the firing incident? If he moves scot free then questions will naturally be raised against the competency of the Odihsa police. A thorough investigation looks imminent to nab the culprit, who is believed to be getting security cover under the protective umbrella of the Chhattisgarh Government. The alleged mastermind Govind Agrawal hails from Saraipali in Chhattisgarh who was using his Sohela ashram for anti-social activities posing himself as a prominent BJP activist.