Festival Of Grass-root Democracy Starts: Run Up To Local Polls

By D N Singh The political parties in Odisha have been already on their toes as the time for the Civic and Panchayat polls inch near. Lights in the war rooms are burning. It is a poll which matters a lot in a democracy for a stronger foundation for the assembly polls. Now that the pleasantries over as the new year have come to an end, parties are back to business and the warming up has gained pace. The two major rivals, the BJD and the BJP, have worn the gloves before being at the rings. Whereas, a marginalized Congress party seems trying hard to keep its flock together which would remain a daunting task for the grand old party to reclaim its old identity. The ruling BJD has taken to the ground much in advance with the leader Naveen Patnaik visiting districts with a basketful of welfare schemes and a special thrust on health(Biju Swasthya KalyanYojana). And ample other pro-people programs on the table. In the last local polls, BJD did fairly well except for a few losses in some areas. But this time the top leadership has been extra serious, as it appears, apprehending an air of anti-incumbency here and there. And those may be fed with an edge by the two oppositions and more so the BJP who is bracing up for a better fight. In the coming local polls, the BJD goes on with its developmental blueprints and a slogan for the empowerment of women which obviously has paid dividends. The only challenge that the BJD top can face is at handling the newcomers from the rival camps and smothering any discontent within. A usual phenomenon for any political party in power. On the other hand, the BJP has less to thump its chest as the unit is under the Central leadership. So it has to be content with the slogans of the Center and governance under the Prime Minister, Modi. His achievements are something the state BJP unit is bound to play up beside taking on the BJD for the latter’s hiccups in delivery here and there. That way, it lends an impetus to the BJD to loudly reclaim that it would be a repeat of 2017 or better. Both the BJD and BJP have a reason to be happy that an ailing Congress in Odisha, which has to regain its rhythm, is badly affected at its grassroots. Even at the leadership front, there seems to be no common umbrella in sight. Every other leader has something to say about the other. On both fronts, the BJD appears to be in a comfort zone. While dissensions within the party are something that Naveen Patnaik has been able to smoothen them by his intimidating aura and civility, relocating the new entrants is not an issue for him now because 2024 can be a huge hiatus for him to hold back them. Normally, a political party in power faces two major issues. One is, to address the problems those face its leaders and the second is the process of weakening the spirit of the opponents. Whereas, in the BJP the case is a bit different, like Union Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, undeniably played an untiring role to lift the party but there are others who tacitly intend for their profile-pushing but, the BJP central leadership’s reticence, which keeps political observers guessing. About the Author: DN Singh is a Bhubaneswar-based senior journalist. DISCLAIMER This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write up have nothing to do with the www.prameyanews.com