BJP president Amit Shah’s repeated claim, made in an aggressive posture, that his party will capture 120-plus seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly in the next elections appears to be a psychological offensive against the BJD. Unexpectedly, BJD boss Naveen Patnaik seems to be affected by this demoralising propaganda blitzkrieg. Patnaik for two days kept repeating, “I doubt that they will get so many seats.” His response sounds defensive. It means, according to observers, Patnaik has conceded that the BJP would get more than its strength in the present Assembly. Many BJD leaders in private talks also interpret Patnaik’s statement in this way. They say their leader could have said in his usual unassuming manner, ‘People of Odisha will decide who is getting how many seats.’ Or, to match the BJP’s barb, Patnaik could have taunted Shah, ‘let them go daydreaming.’ In fact, Patnaik’s “doubt” remark prompted Shah to take on him further, saying “old people” do not see the ground reality.
Dharmendra is clearly high command favourite
As to who would commandeer the BJP in the Assembly poll battle, Amit Shah this time told reporters that it has not been decided. But what he said in some forums and what his postures indicated enough, or reconfirmed the well-reasoned impression, is that the party high command has already picked up Dharmendra Pradhan as the man to lead the State unit. In fact, Pradhan has since quite long been the party’s de facto headsman in Odisha. Shah’s indirect remark against Naveen Patnaik that Odisha cannot develop with “old people” at the helm is obviously meant that a younger element like Pradhan is the BJP’s choice to replace Patnaik. Shah’s endearing introduction of Pradhan as “Mere Mitra” at the party’s rally is another sign of the BJP’s State poster boy. It also reminds of Prime Minister Modi’s affectionate words for Pradhan on public occasions in Odisha earlier.
See how media highlight nonissues
Media often make ‘issues’ out of nonissues and lend too much importance to less notable matters. The latest example was front-page highlighting of Shah’s statement, also in response to a media question, that the BJP would have no alliance with any party in the State. If the BJP claims to get as many as 120 seats on its own, the underlying fact is the party is super strong itself for its mission. So, what is the necessity for it for a coalition! Moreover, the BJP is so vocal against the BJD that it has sworn to throw it out of power! And the Congress and the left parties are the avowed enemies of the BJP. Then, which other parties in Odisha are left for the BJP to align withIJ
What about Bijay and DilipIJ
Amid the hype over the Amit Shah programmes in Bhubaneswar, a significant intra-BJP factor has been glossed over by one and all. Two party leaders, Bijay Mohapatra and Dilip Ray, were conspicuously absent in all events. In fact, the duo has been virtually boycotting party programmes since long on some ground or the other. Mohapatra seems to have decided to quit the BJP though it is yet to be perceived which alternative party he would be fitted into. His opposition to the State BJP leadership, especially Dharmendra Pradhan, is well-known, which means he has no place in the party. Dilip Ray is, however, not as virulently disposed towards the leadership. Yet, his scheme of things for the future is still uncertain.