Political parties were already gearing up for general elections scheduled for 2019 at the national level and for Assemblies in some States. But of late, it appears that there is a probability that the general elections may be held in 2018. This expectation has now propelled the major political players to be prepared to face a general election. That explains the overt activities and statements coming from the different political parties.
In Odisha, the ruling party is a regional one; and at the level of the Central Government, the ruling party is a national one. The BJP, ruling at the Centre and several States, demonstrated significant improvement in getting more votes in the recent panchayat polls in Odisha. No doubt, the BJD continued to be the leading party, but both the BJD and the Congress lost quite a number of seats in the panchayat elections. In other words, there was shrinkage of the support-base of the BJD; and the Congress got a bashing. The loss of ground by the BJD has definitely jerked it into an aggressive posture. It has started functioning as though general elections are not far off. The party is energising itself and claims to be ready to face general elections anytime. In that context, propaganda and projections have had their dominant role. The BJP has stepped up its critical analysis and gone public almost every day. The scenario is one in which the BJP and the BJD claim to be ready to face a general election within the next few weeks. Alongside, both the parties are flaunting their report cards and finding fault with each other in the implementation of several programmes.
There is a distinctive feature in the burdens that the respective party carries. The BJP has ruled for more than three years at the Centre. The BJD, on the other hand, has a history of ruling for over 17 years. The BJP has an advantage for being more critical, especially regarding improper implementation of developmental programmes in the State. The BJD, on the other hand, has to project good governance and better administration of developmental projects over such a long period. Of course, it shall continue to project its grievances regarding the alleged neglect on the part of the Central Government and its apathy towards the State’s interests.
Media have been exposing several dark spots in the implementation of developmental schemes in the State. It has been focussing on the black spots almost in every field. The social sectors have not given a good account of themselves with schools and teachers being in turmoil, healthcare being in jeopardy and infrastructural development being dominantly industry-linked. In the coming days, the media would no doubt concentrate on evaluating the efficiency in the governance by the BJD. The cumulative impact of such exposures would be to the BJP’s advantage and would, to a great extent, water down the hype over “awards”. Nagada and such other instances were exposed almost a year ago. But the situation does not seem to have improved in any significant manner. Nagada is a sample and a symptom. The State has several other Nagadas in different corners. Mortalities on account of dengue, swine flu, cerebral malaria and malnutrition are on the increase. The death of children in Malkangiri and Jeypore is not of any reduced significance compared to the tragedies of the last few days in Gorakhpur and Raipur.
The administration of the housing schemes is fraught with corruption and demonstrably mismanaged. Drinking water supply is still not available to a very large section of the society. Sanitation calls for a lot of improvement. Doctors and paramedics are in short supply. Teachers are on the streets. Amalas have been on a pen-down strike though the then Revenue Minister publicly stated that their demands are justified. The chit fund and mining scams are bound to have their lingering impact.
The regional party is going to face an aggressive national party in the electoral arena. The national party also has demonstrated its uncanny ability to manipulate political situations. Its propensity to acquire power is huge. The acrimony between the two parties is, therefore, going to be demonstrative; and the BJD would have to put up a fight to retain its position. There is already speculation that the BJD will retain power in the State; and this is bound to provoke the BJP to be more aggressive in its tactics and projections. The BJP has an advantage of roping in different leaders out of its national talent bank. The BJD, on the other hand, will have to scout for projection through its local leaders. But the party, as it has developed, has one leader and there is no collective leadership. It would, therefore, be the party’s endeavour to continue to project the Chief Minister as the sole leader and the only one capable of fetching votes. This would inevitably lead to intensification and concentration of the focus on the Chief Minister in the propaganda and campaign in the coming months.
As observers and participants, the youth power has a major role to play in the electoral process. They are a dominant force and have to be discerning enough to distinguish between the hype and the truth. They should inspire every Palli Sabha through regular meetings to evaluate the assertions made by the political parties. They should concurrently urge that the shortcomings in the respective local level are reasonably tackled. This shall keep the ruling party alert and not to become complacent. The youth force should become the catalyst in ensuring the grassroots-level programmes, especially in the social sectors, to become efficacious and meaningful. This requires youths to rise above rallies and processions. Every panchayat has a right to self-governance in a purposive manner. Sufficient devolution of power has not taken place, both at the rural and urban levels. Despite a Constitutional amendment, which holds force, building regulations, etc., continue to be handled by the so-called development authorities whereas the Constitutional mandate is to vest them with municipal bodies. There has to be a clamour for social restructuring and demand for significant structural alterations. No political party is going to admit its failures. Their public assertions have to be juxtaposed with ground-level achievements; and the scrutiny should be available to the local public. This would also ensure adequate public accountability. Our per capita income has brought us down in the national scene. Disparities in income have increased. A neo-rich class has come into existence, maybe, partly caused by the funds generated by the scams. It is time the watchdogs were at the grassroots and they were analytical and vocal enough to push things towards a better tomorrow. The tyranny of status quo must end; and for that the youths have to be aided and guided. But, overall, it would require active participation by all sections of the society. This certainly concerns all of us!
(The writer, a Senior Advocate, is a former All India Service officer, a former diplomat, a former editor, a former President of Orissa High Court Bar Association and a former Advocate General of Odisha. jayantdas@hotmail.com)