Despite many odds, Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM) president Pyarimohan Mohapatra was in Rourkela to address his maiden public rally on Monday.
Even, in November last, while the OJM was not converted to a party, his close aide Rajendra Prasad Singh was not allowed to address media persons at Rourkela as many hoteliers denied sparing space despite taking booking advance. Similarly, the party was not provided land permission to host the public meeting on April 17 last by the administration. Thanks to tremendous pressure mounted by the OJM cadres, the administration relented and gave permission to the OJM to hold the public meeting at Telephone Bhawan Ground in Sector-6.
Prior to addressing the public meeting, Mohapatra in his Press briefing at Pantha Niwas in Sector-5 said weak leadership has been the prime cause behind the slow progress ofRourkela in transforming it to a highly developed city of the State. He also criticized the inefficiency of the district administration and the RSP management in resolving the displaced people's problem.
Speaking on the cause of his rift with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Mohapatra said for the first two terms, Patnaik alone was not free to take the decision on his own as there was alliance compulsion. But after getting a thumping victory in 2009 without alliance, Patnaik had sufficient scope to act vibrantly for the State. But instead of that, he has become complacent, what he opposed.
Secondly, Mohapatra said he had suggested Patnaik to direct the departments to implement the commitments to the people made earlier, including employment mission and initiate steps to curb corruption. But Patnaik paid no heed.
Thirdly, Mohapatra emphasized on democratic governance which was problematic for certain top bureaucrats and they provoked the Chief Minister against him and succeeded.
To a question on the position of the OJM in today's political scenario, Mohapatra said, "It is now confirmed that the Chief Minister has endorsed his party as the number one opposition party in the State."
Talking on demand for the Special Category State status, he said he had repeatedly raised the issue of enhancing mining royalty of the State by at least 30 per cent in the Parliament. Besides, Mohapatra said there is no necessity for special package as proper management of the State's resources and pragmatic and growth-oriented policies can make Odisha self-reliant.
Mohapatra also reiterated his arithmetic of winning 80-85 seats in coming Assembly elections and indicated the possibility of an alliance with a national party. He also denied any probability of reconciliation with Chief Minister Patnaik.
Mohapatra also emphasised on entrusting power to the Gram Panchayat. Mohapatra parried a question on his present link with Rourkela MlA Sarada Nayak. However, RourkelaMunicipality chairperson who is a close follower of MlA Nayak boarding the same train toRourkela with Mohapatra stirred up much political gossip in the town here.
later at the public rally here, Mohapatra said he could be arrested anytime. "I apprehend my arrest anytime on the ground that they (the Government) think I have links with Maoists," he said.
"They are trying to malign the OJM," he added.
Despite heavy rains during the rally, Mohapatra addressed meeting for a while.
He said he would not contest in the coming elections as he would campaign for his party across the State. He predicted that Naveen Patnaik would be dethroned.
Among others, OJM leaders Amiya Pandab, Rajendra Prasad Singh, Sarat Mishra, Sidheswar Prasad Mishra, Amar Nayak, local leaders Sukru Bibhar, Nrusingha Jena and Basat Pradhan were present.