Pyari episode is just prelude, real scene of the BJD play still come

By A.K. Sahoo  // source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, June 2: Long before the present crisis happened in the BJD, ‘Indus Valley Times’ had brought out a serious of reports hinting about the growing intra-party conflicts in the party and its future consequences. The paper carried stories under the captions like “BJD divided between NJD (Naveen Janata Dal) and PJD (Pyari Janata Dal),” “Naveen reads pages from history,” “Dark days ahead for BJD” etc.

The newspaper does not claim any credit for the fact that contents of the stories proved right in view of the developments. The learned correspondents had written those copies basing on the inner developments in the party and analyzing them on the parameters of political dynamics.

Many political commentators then dismissed those stories saying the contents were just “wild imaginations.” But the newspaper stuck to its position with firm conviction.

Now questions come: What will happen in the coming days? Will BJD remain strong as before or it will wane after the recent “revolt” bid? Will the BJD president Naveen Patnaik ever be able to handle the party affairs? Can he face the Opposition’s onslaught on corruption issues? Has his action against his erstwhile advisor Pyarimohan Mohapata and four others stemmed the dissidence fully ensuring a smooth sail ahead? Who will assist Naveen to face the Opposition and manage the party affairs?

A careful examination of all these questions does not provide optimistic answers. The claim of the BJD of being the strongest regional party is proved a myth after the recent episode; - cracks are wide open now.

Since his arrival in Odisha, those who have seen Naveen from a close quarter know he always relied on others to run the party. The key founder of the BJD Bijoy Mohapatra ran the show till 2000 and after his unceremonious ouster from the party the reins went to the hands of Pyarimohan Mohpatra.

Pyari took all the blames on his head for dismissal of founder members, swallowed all the aspersions cast at him with consummate cool and calmness. Though it cannot be ruled out the Rajya Sabha member might have a political ambition behind this, still his efforts successfully created a invincible fortress of security around Naveen. Repeated political attacks and bids of invasions by skilled rivals failed to make any dent to his image.

By launching a slew of measures such as Rs 2 per kg rice scheme and strengthening of the Women Self-Help Groups, Pyari created a huge vote bank that helped the party to register emphatic wins in every election.

A lot of corruption issues were raised by the Opposition. They, among others, include massive irregularities in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGS), mining scams, coal scam and dal scam. However, Pyari repulsed them quite successfully.

After the recent development, the Opposition will re-sharpen its knife and try to hit more aggressively. The bunch of leaders, who got closer to the chief minister during this transition period, has little political astuteness to face this challenge.

Those who think that with suspension of Pyari and two other MLAs Pravat Ranjan Biswal and Bibhuti Bhusan Balabantaray  dissidence has been curbed, they might get to astonished in the coming days they have just seen prelude such activity. Soldiers always rally round a commander who has guts to lead. Name is not enough to stand in the battle field – fame of fine leadership and fighter is required to hold on to your position.

It would be wrong to presume that those leaders who had held parleys at Pyarimohan’s residence on May 29 have completely reposed their faith in Naveen. They were compelled under circumstances to make a volte face but they would not mind returning to their earlier position in the future when political dynamics changes again.