Anirudha Mishra
Election is the most crucial part of democracy. In a democratic set-up, the real power is believed to be entrusted with the people, the voters, the mass. Because they can elect their representatives, who are supposed to stand for them, work for them and be accountable as well.
But in the 21st Century, the voters often get tricked by the poll gimmicks smartly operated by the political parties and candidates. However, there can be no excuses for voters, if they are willing to be fooled by the tall promises of political outfits and candidates.
To hold elections in India, the largest democracy in the world, is a herculean task. However, in recent times, technology has played a major part during elections. Use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have understandably brought more transparency in conducting polls.
The age-old ballot paper voting methods involved many challenges, which have been done away with EVMs. However, at times, the opposition parties do blame the ruling regimes for tampering EVM machines, which spark serious debates.
During the ongoing General Elections in India and simultaneous Assembly polls in some states including Odisha, political parties and candidates have smartly used technology and social networking platforms to reach their target audience. Even in political rallies, public meetings and road-shows, technology has played a crucial part.
There are some interesting developments in Odisha politics this time. The first and foremost is of course, the rise of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a major challenger to the ruling regime Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Both parties were alliance partners till 2009. Even after that, though they fought polls separately, the BJD has often supported the saffron party in Parliament on key issues.
There were reports that after 15 years of their separation, the two parties may again form an alliance in Odisha this time, which did not materialise. Such an alliance would have benefitted the Congress up to some extent, believe political analysts.
But once both parties decided against an alliance, the intensity of the poll campaigns in Odisha shot up drastically. Never before, the two parties targeted each other so fiercely. But it is like an all-out battle in the 2024 twin polls in Odisha.
The leaders and supporters of both parties have crossed swords and want to dominate the poll battle. But despite their animosity during the polls, many political analysts are of the firm belief that the BJD and BJP can still shed their differences and join hands, if there is an emergency.
Senior journalist ST Beuria reminded that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was formed on January 26, 1997 with an anti-Congress political ideology. The BJP central leadership has always treated BJD president and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik with due regards. From Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani times, to the present Narendra Modi and Amit Shah period, the saffron party has always been friendly with BJD.
Beuria feels after the polls are over, the two parties are expected to have cordial relationships to run the government. The BJD may never support the Congress. Because once they go with the grand old party, their core anti-Congress vote bank in the state will reduce drastically, he warned.
As per the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the twin polls in Odisha are being held in four phases this time. Earlier, the elections were held mostly in two phases.
In 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019, Lok Sabha and Assembly polls were also held simultaneously in the state like this time. But four-phase elections in Odisha, is something new in 2024.
Former minister and BJD leader Shashi Bhushan Behera thinks more the number of phases, the more it suits the national parties. Their leaders and star campaigners can focus on a few seats at a time. They can hit the campaign trails repeatedly at regular intervals and woo voters.
But for Naveen Patnaik-led BJD, multi-phase polls do not have any significance. Reasoning his statement, Behera continued that after 24 years of BJD-rule, people of Odisha have realised that it is the Biju Janata Dal, which is fully committed for development of the state. The regional outfit has been relentlessly working with all sincerity for people of Odisha, he further said.
Behera added though it is the prerogative of the ECI to decide in how many phases elections will be held in a particular state or Union Territory, but it is unlikely that Odisha may have four-phase polls in future. The national parties therefore, may not get such an opportunity to send their same set of leaders and star campaigners repeatedly to Odisha during elections, Behera quipped.
Asked about his party's poll expectations, BJP leader Sudipta Ray expressed optimism that the saffron party will do exceptionally well in Odisha in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections this time.
He further stated that it's not the number of phases of elections in Odisha, but the achievements of the BJP-led government at Centre in the last 10 years, that is going to play a decisive role in poll results of the state.
Congress leader and former minister Panchanan Kanungo is also more than sure that his party will improve its tally this time than 2019. The BJP-BJD "confusing and strange relationship" is going to benefit the Congress, he added.
Kanungo further said that the INDI alliance led by the Congress, is set for a massive turnaround in the Lok Sabha elections. That is also likely to have a positive influence in Odisha. The grand old party will surprise many poll pundits when the election results are declared on June 4, he remarked.
However, some others are of the opinion that in reality, there is no love lost between the BJD and BJP. Veteran scribe Dilip Bisoi pointed out that the BJP-BJD fight is more visible in the TV screens and newspapers than in reality.
However, unlike in 2014 and 2019, when the BJD enjoyed one-sided dominance in Odisha, this time in 60 to 65 Assembly seats and a few more Lok Sabha seats, there would be a close contest, he predicted.
Like many, he too believes that Odisha may not have four-phase elections in future. But if at all the number of phases exceeds more than two, it would always suit the party in power at Centre, to have more influence during the election campaigns, he summed up.
