After the expansion of Union Council of Ministers, speculations are now rife over the ministerial change in Odisha Government as more than two years have gone since CM Naveen Patnaik, who took oath as Chief Minister for the fifth consecutive time on May 29, 2019 has not made any reshuffle.
Besides, political observers maintain that as the second wave of the Covid-19 is on the decline and there is a new look in the party organisation with fresh appointment of senior observers, observers and women’s wing office-bearers, the Chief Minister is likely to go for a change in the portfolios of Ministers.
Accordingly, a natural question that is doing the rounds here is if the BJD boss will pick up any MLA from Sundargarh district for a ministerial berth. If anyone from Sundargarh district is given an opportunity then who would he be? BJD has only two MLAs, Sarda Prasad Nayak from Rourkea and Subrat Tarai from Raghunathpalli, who represent Sundargarh district. Besides being the MLA, Nayak is party’s Rourkela district wing president and Chairman, District Planning Board.
So, many of Tarai’s supporters and Nayak’s critics claim as Nayak is already occupied with two additional responsibilities, the party boss may prefer Tarai over him. Secondly, they claim Nayak is carrying two posts but he has not been enjoying trust of party boss for which he was not given any assignment during past by-elections.
Besides, though Nayak is Rourkela wing party chief but a faction in the party is well observed. It was more reflected in the Jeevan Bindu activities in past days.
Similarly, Nayak has not got any achievement as the Chairman, Rourkela Development Authority; rather he is in dock due to alleged irregularities in the works of Chhend Central Park, which is now under Vigilance scanner. Above all, Tarai had already occupied a ministerial berth in Patnaik’s third term and became Chairman, District Planning Board prior to Nayak. But Nayak’s supporters feel if CM Patnaik feels to choose one from Sundargarh district, then it would inevitably be Nayak.
According to them though Tarai was earlier a Minister and Chairman, District Planning Board, but it was rather out of compulsion for the party.
As Nayak was removed from his ministerial berth due to certain controversial incidents on May 29, 2012, CM Patnaik had no other choice than Tarai from Sundargarh during reshuffle in August 2012. Similarly, after Nayak’s defeat in 2014 election, the road was clear for Tarai to become the Chairman, District Planning Board.
Besides, from organisational point of view, Nayak is much ahead of Tarai. Even in past days while the Covid positive cases were in peak in Rourkela and the common people were in need of their representative, Nayak was fully available beside them and was providing service without any fear of risk for his own health.
At that time, Tarai was even not available in city. Similarly, during first wave of Covid-19 pandemic, Rourkela had achieved milestone in collection of blood plasma and it was due to the sincere operation of Nayak, claim his followers.
Due to his tireless effort, the BJD had performed well in last Panchayat election in the district as well, they say. Though he has certain opponents in the party but he has the blessings of the common people due to his selfless service during both the waves of Covid-19. So ahead of ULB and Panchayat elections the party will prefer him over Tarai, feel his supporters.