PRI polls: BJD on strong wicket
In the ensuing PRI polls, the BJD seems to be on a strong wicket. According to the speculations, south Odisha is predicted to favour the faction ridden Congress and west Odisha voters are likely tilt towards BJP which has entered the fray with a divided house though in a lesser scale. Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Maoist insurgency are said to be the setbacks for BJD in the south. Similarly, BJP’s non- fulfilment of promises made on several fronts will damage the party in the west. Even as an overall win for BJD is forecast, its performance in the ongoing PRI polls will be marginally better than the combined two. The BJP has unleashed a cold war against the BJD through a series of CBI raids on BJD leaders for their ponzy links. But pigmies as they are in politics, they may not be able to turn the BJD applecart at least in this election. The final blow is likely to be given only in the next election. Demonetisation as a key agenda is not likely to influence the rural voters and BJP is not going to gain out of it either. However, it has targeted the women voters through Ujjwala scheme and the one that has promised to deposit `6,000 straight in the account of the child bearing women. Except the repeated visit of Dharmendra Pradhan to woo the rural voters in various ways, there is nothing for BJP to write home about in Odisha. Still, going by the performance of INC in the Centre and its faction ridden status in the State, BJP may edge past Congress with a photo finish.
Cracks in Sambalpur BJD unit
Right from the day of her election victory, Sambalpur MlA Dr Rasheswari Panighrahi has been encouraging factionalism in the party, taking the BJD district president Pramod Rath and Rengali MlA Ramesh Patua on her side ignoring Redhakhol MlA and deputy chief whip Rohit Pujari who was responsible for building the BJD organization in the district. Now when around 200 Congress workers from Jujumura led by former Zilla Parishad Member Chittaranjan Pradhan joined the BJD reposing their confidence in Pujari, there seems to be jittery in the other camp. Pujari’s show of strength just before the Panchayat election did not go down well with his bête noire. The cracks got exposed from a Press meet to which the supporters of Pramod Rath were not invited. The supporters of Pujari, however, cited numerous instances when Rath failed to take the party leaders along and according to them he has no right to question Pujari. Dedication and hard work of Pujari have paid rich dividends to the party but the deep- rooted factionalism in the district BJD with arrogant Panigrahi, her protégé Rath and MlA Patua on the one side and the rest on the other, is likely to put the ruling party in a spot in the district.
IG Park zoo needs professional care
The sudden closure of the IG Park on the New Year in Rourkela has disappointed scores of park lovers, especially the children who had planned with their parents to spend the day at the park and enjoy whatever little facility provided by the RSP authorities for its employees and their children. last year too, a report about the limited facilities at the park was brought out in this column, but in vain as RSP authorities never budged to learn any lesson. Similarly, the arrogance of the RSP management has once again come to the fore as they don’t repose confidence either in the media or in any organization engaged in welfare of the society. last October, when Gwalier became a victim of aviation influenza, ARMY, a local voluntary organization working for the welfare of the animals in Rourkela, had warned the IG Park authorities of its possible outbreak and suggested taking precaution to prevent spread of the disease. The warning was not given two hoots and even as many birds of rare species were killed, the information was suppressed. Subsequently, there was a warning from the Government authorities to remain alert. But the park was kept open by the officers-in-charge to remain in the good book of the CEO. The IG Park staff members are ignorant about the extent of disaster the bird flu can cause after spreading from animals to human beings. The park is not manned by skilled employees, specially trained for maintenance of the animal sheds and the bird sanctuary. little wonder, Sangram Parida, the managing trustee of the ARMY, has advised the RSP authorities to close the zoo sooner than later, before some mishaps take place. The park with its flora and fauna will still attract visitors in large numbers. let the zoo be an exclusive one like Nanan Kanan. Is RSP CEO listeningIJ
Kesinga railway drop gate an irritation
Despite tangible development of different towns with widening of roads as side effects of an increased of proportion and the recent announcement of electronic engine manufacturing plant somewhere nearby, the railway drop gate at Kesinga, known to be the gateway of Kalahandi, has become an irritating point for four wheelers. Kesinga remained the business centre of the district right from the days when goods carrying trucks were not introduced and train was the only medium of transport. The small populations of around 30,000 have shown ample political consciousness in the past and have elected comparatively strong candidates to Odisha Assembly as their representatives. Being a business hub for the surrounding rural population of this semi urban town, its traffic clearance system is almost at a primitive stage with the age-old drop gate system of railways at the very entrance of the town. Shifting of the booking counter with a parking space nearby has hardly satisfied the commuters and therefore, a railway over bridge (RoB) replacing the drop gate system is the right solution to meet the immediate traffic menace. With an average 40 to 50 times halt of the traffic on a single day, the Railways authorities do not have a soft corner for the public facing a variety of problems, including medical emergency. According to statements given by local MlA Anama Nayak and MP Arka Keshari Deo, work for a flyover will start soon. Now the people are restive to see the real work to begin. On another side construction of the road bridge over river Tel to link Titlagarh by bus and full functioning of the new bus stand with facilities for commuters like ‘Sauchalaya’ etc will stand in good stead for the town. And, it will not be a wonder if after 50 years from now Kesinga becomes a satellite town of Bhawanipatna, with human habitations expanding from Kesinga towards Bhawanipatna linking Utkela and Pastikudi at a faster pace.