Odisha: Midnight Shocker by BJP Rocks Politics, Fuels Anger in BJD and People

A little over nine months have passed since the ‘double-engine’ government of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took over the reins in Odisha.

However, the new government’s ‘intolerance’ toward the erstwhile Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government does not seem to end. This is somewhat comprehensible, but the ruling BJP dispensation seems to have now committed a political error. It has de-linked Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary from Panchayati Raj Diwas celebrations and has moved the date to April 24.

The ruling BJP government has “tried to disgrace” the name of the legendary politician Biju Patnaik, political analysts observe.

On March 5, the birth anniversary of Biju babu (as he is popularly referred to), has for long been commemorated as Panchayat Raj Diwas, which was initiated three decades ago by the late politician.

It was undisputedly seen as a pioneering step, when Biju babu, against many odds and criticism, had given 33% reservation to women in the panchayati raj system. As a mark of respect and acknowledgement of his role in empowering women, his birthday was subsequently declared as a government holiday in Odisha. 

"This (BJP’s move) somehow does not go well when it comes to a leader as tall as Biju babu who worked above party lines," political analyst Rabi Das told this writer.

"A man who pioneered panchayat raj and was the first to give 33% reservation to women, there is no reason not to commemorate the day on his birth anniversary," he added.

Midnight Shock

In fact, till late evening on March 4, there was no inkling that Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary shall not be tagged with Panchayati Raj Diwas. It was a late night decision by the BJP government led by Mohan Majhi to shift the celebration day from March 5 to April 24. This came as a shocker for Biju Patnaik’s supporters as well as people in general. 

It mat be mentioned here that the BJP has, systematically, has been trying to obliterate all the good work and vestiges of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (Biju Patnaik’s son and BJP chief), from painting city walls with saffron and removing images of national and state personalities from various fields and painting some motifs instead.

Adding insult to injury to BJD a day before Biju Patnaik birth anniversary, one of his statues in the Mahanga block in Odisha was beheaded, allegedly after instigation by an Independent MLA. The act was widely condemned as “reprehensible”.  There is a feeling that Odia culture is being “disgraced”, which is fueling anger among BJD workers and supporters as well as the common people, who look upon Biju Patnaik as a tall leader.  

"BJP must not have conjectured the fallout of such vindictive politics in the coming panchayat polls in 2027. It is quite possible that the saffron party may face humiliating losses in local polls," Das said.

All said and done, so far BJP has not been able to damage the popularity of Naveen Patnaik, who continues to be a crowd puller.

The writer is a freelancer based in Odisha.