In a recent congregation of the BJD in a workshop of the party’s block and district level observers, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik instructed the party’s ground-level observers to strongly counter the “false propaganda” of opposition parties. He further advised the observers to inform the citizens about the various welfare schemes undertaken by the State Government.
The next urban polls are in 2018 and the General Elections are in 2019. Energising the party at this hour is timely. But a fiat of this nature to strongly counter “false propaganda” makes one believe that the propaganda has to some extent succeeded and had impacted so as to attract the notice of the party supremo to be identified as the political object with which the party shall gear itself. Criticism is also facing intolerance. There are bound to be resistance from within the system which is meant to be preempted by the prescription of the BJD supremo. For the urban polls, preparations are in full swing, and it remains to be seen how the ruling party faces the increasing criticism and critical analysis of its performance and then on to the march for 2019. The party will be faced with an increasing challenge of the BJP but not so as to upset the power balance. What remains to be seen is the magician in Naveen Patnaik to sell out the dreams for another five years’ term and hope for yet another five years. But do the indicators point towards a perpetrated Government in the absence of an adequate challengeIJ
In this context, the alacrity and alertness of the BJP would be vital. They are ruling at the Centre. They had shared power with the BJD in the past before parting company. The BJD had shared power with the BJP in the NDA and was a beneficiary of the system. The BJD supremo has had to say, “It’s (BJD) your party and you have to work wholeheartedly for its success.” It is to be seen whether this clarion call is echoed by the BJD cadres and the chain of command is translated into political actions and gestures.
A reassuring factor is that the ruling party of long standing is regenerating itself and remaining active in its organisational setup, more so as a regional party. But shades of arrogance and intolerance have been visible in the horizon in a noticeable way. Issuing directives to about 500 leaders of the party machinery may be easy in the days of communication revolution, but the cry for the elementary malice is rampant in the body polity. What is meant to be implicit and obeyed in silence as a matter of routine has to be dished out as a code of activity so as to keep the organisational system running, A party in power for 18 years is trying to debate out elementary principles of organisational discipline. But it is also heartening to see a party having ruled over such a long period finding time for its organisational affairs. But what matters is the drilling of the objections and hammering out the supporting measures so as to make it successful. Organisational activity plans for 314 blocks and 113 urban local bodies were covered during the two-day workshop. In other words, its electoral politics starts from the basic data now available so as to be fruitfully ready by 2018 and 2019.
While taking stock of its organisational affairs, it is but natural for an experienced party to undertake such measures. At the same time, its laxity for having ruled for so many years is bound to creep in, in one form or the other. But all the same, the ruling party has learnt the lesson of being alert and active in organisational terms. Activity by itself has no meaning unless there is meaningful participation. The masses have to be involved in the movement towards a resurgent Odisha. There has to be a movement towards building a new Odisha with newer facets and newer meanings. In this endeavour, the youth power of the State is to be fully energised and utilised. The resurgence will come from the activities of the youth power and they are to be nurtured and guided in a suitable manner by the elders. But the chain of command has to be maintained in an effective manner so as to make sure that there are structural changes in the society auguring in better tomorrows. In this endeavour, many attempts have to be made so as to reach one’s goal. The youth power is also disheartened and disoriented in some ways and need to be guided in the right direction. Otherwise, it will end up being frustrated and disoriented. In this effort, which is herculean in nature, the combined might of all sections of the society has to be operative and the societal movement is to be guided in the proper direction.
In the effort towards a radical change and a progressive movement, all sections of the society have to put in their might and contribute their own share of activity. As Rajaji had once said, the scenario looks flower-full and may bear fruits. In our endeavour towards fruitful and flower-full achievements, we must march ahead with a resolute mind and with firm objectives. This is not an easy task and has to be organised with caution and care. The scenario might look deceptive but is a difficult one to handle in terms of its ramifications. But the powerful youth force will guide and goad us into finding a better tomorrow with a glowing future with meaningful changes. let us work towards a new tomorrow, and in that effort surely all of us are concerned.
(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)