A seminar on ‘Manifesto politics and media’ was held here on Sunday organised by the Orissa Union of Journalists (OUJ) local unit during its biennial conference as well as State executive body meeting. OUJ president Prasanna Mohanty while presided over the meeting, three guests, local MP RK Jena(BJD), former Union Minister Srikant Jena (Congress) and former MLA Prapat Sarangi (BJP) took part in the discussion. Mohanty observed that since the non fulfillment of manifesto could not be challenged in the court of law, the people should be the best judge.
All the speakers besides admitting that promises shown in the manifesto issued by parties before elections are not fulfilled due to certain reasons or others, said conscious people should bring a change.
MP Jena said in some Europeans countries while pre elections promises are made in the manifesto by the political parties, they are referred to a court of audit to verify whether the promises are feasible. “Unfortunately, it is not the same in India where tall and huge claims are made to woo the voters. The best things would be if the voters judge them without any influence,” said Jena. Former Union Minister Jena said he took care to fulfill some promises he made during his tenure as MP in Baleswar and Baripada.
BJP leader Sarangi replying to a question of senior journalist Akshay Sahu said that Odisha does’t fulfill the eligibility criteria required to get special status. MLA Sadar JP Dash, Remuna MLA Gobinda Das, district Collector Ramesh Chandra Rout , chairman BRIT Gouri Kumar Rout, former chairman of Baleswar Municipality Alok Sahu were among others who spoke. The OUJ demanded a legislation for protection of journalists, condemning the growing attacks on scribes and pension.