The country at large and Odisha in particular have witnessed decisively massive electoral responses: In the case of the former in favour of a national political party and in case of the latter in favour of a regional outfit. India elects for itself a new Government of a national party, the BJP, not hitherto in power for about a decade, with absolute majority for itself, and with the supplementation of some allies it makes the total number still higher.
The unquestioned leader of the winning national party is Narendra Damodardas Modi, who as the predetermined leader masterminded its electoral strategy and the whirlwind nationwide campaign.
Odisha, on the other hand, elected the BJD for the record fourth term with a hitherto unprecedented majority with no adjustments with any other political party. The preexisting leader of this regional party Naveen Patnaik, similarly being the unquestioned one, formulated the political strategies and carried out a very painstaking pan-Odisha campaign.
At the national level, there was a demonstrable change in the leadership while at the level of Odisha, there was a demonstrable and increased support for the unquestioned leader Naveen Patnaik. Hence, India was “Modi”fied whereas Odisha could not be “Modi”fied.
Notwithstanding this characteristic distinction, the challenges relating to governance, both at the Centre and at the State, are intrinsically different, though they appear to be superficially similar. At the Centre, the ruling alliance has the possible convenient explanation of dealing with a plethora of problems left behind by the UPA-II Government. And at our State level, the ruling party with its increased strength in its fourth term has the onerous duty to face the problems left unsolved by its own Government.
leaving aside a few Central legislations, which are directly administered by the Government of India, most of the programmes and laws relating to the social restructuring to ameliorate the plight of the weaker and marginal sections of the society are administered by the State Government. And it is to be discerningly watched whether the new dispensation at the Centre is cooperative and aids the efforts of the State Government in this direction. In a wide and vast arena of activities, the funding, etc., may be flowing from the Centre, but the implementation lies in the realm of and in the hands of the State. There is reasonable hope in many sections that the present Prime Minister, being just the other day a Chief Minister, would be more responsive and sympathetic to the needs of the State Governments. This is where the “Modi”fied and the non-”Modi”fied Governments face their own acid test.
A distinct indication that needs to be noticed is the increased dependence of the present Prime Minister on “professionalism” implemented through a coherent intermingling of a number of experienced Ministers with the new professional talents. The days ahead will show whether at the State level there is a discernible, purposive reorientation of strategies and infusion of professionalism so that achievements are more demonstrative in real terms. The challenges before the non-”Modi”-fied Government of Odisha include the meaningful enforcement of the rights of tribals, those of other marginalised and weaker sections of the society, revitalisation of the economy, a prioritised planned growth of industries, adequate spread of all forms of irrigation, including drip and sprinkle irrigation, improved farming methods, growth of agriculture, horticulture, poultry, floriculture and the like. Alongside is the need of housing the roofless, giving subsistence to the landless and provision of appropriate basic amenities to the urban and rural areas in a balanced and equitable manner.
The first meeting of the State Cabinet has emphasisd the objectives of the BJD manifesto, but translating the objectives into fruitful manifestations is certainly not an easy task. This is further complicated by grassroots corruption, insensitive attitude of those in charge of implementation and, finally, participating pragmatic and programmatic actions spearheaded by the leaders of the party itself. The “Modi”fied Central Government is likely to evaluate the delivery system, efficacy and achievements at the levels of the State Governments in a more intensive and purposive manner.
The investigation into the multi-State (including Odisha) chit fund scam by the CBI and the likely future investigation into the mining scam of Odisha are the illustrative challenges that the State Government would have to face. God has given a golden opportunity to the unprecedented fourth-term Government and its unquestioned leader to build and project a “new” Odisha with a befitting assertiveness and a no-holds-barred attitude. The representation/projection of the State Government before the Supreme Court in the chit fund scam case has not brought laurels to the State Government. In the mining scam, halfhearted action under the Prevention of Corruption Act against some Government servants at the lower formation and defective / peripheral actions under the MMRD Act, 1957 have not yielded adequate results, and we are yet to reach demonstrative, logical, punitive, compensatory and preventive measures.
People of Odisha are by and large fatalists following the motto “Whatever God does is for our good”. But social unrest and fractures in the social structure can wean people away from this opiate of the masses. The challenges before the leadership are, therefore, bound to appear with renewed vigour, and the days ahead alone shall show whether Odisha, while not being “Modi”fied, is de-scammed. While aspirations of development are to be fulfilled, alongside the rising hope for a clean, transparent and pro-people Government is the imminent need of the hour. This visible writing on the socio-political wall is to be read, assimilated and understood. Besides, the attitude and orientation of the “Modi”fied Central Government are also to be constantly analysed and evaluated. The State Government has to be effectively communicative, and we, as a people, are required to be audibly vocal to have our due and proper place on the map of India, that is Bharat. This is the obvious need of the hour to get out of the vicious circle, which has trapped us to be ignominiously branded as the “poorest” in the country. The irony is more disturbing when the “poorest” is endowed with the “richest” of resources, both human and natural. The people of Odisha eagerly await the visible actions of their Government in this regard and are ready to rise to the occasion, when called upon. let us not be blamed for missed opportunities, especially when they have fortunately come knocking at our doors. This concerns us.
(The writer, a Senior Advocate, is a former All India Service officer, a former diplomat, a former editorand a former Advocate General of Odisha)jayantdas@hotmail.com)