Senior BJP leaders Dharmendra Pradhan and Biswa Bhusan Harichandan release the state party unit's manifesto in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

The state unit of the BJP finds itself in an uncomfortable position regarding the demand for Odisha being given the special-category state status.

In its poll manifesto, the state unit has promised that it would place its demand before the central government for according this status to Odisha and would continue its fight till the demand is fulfilled. But the party’s manifesto is conspicuously silent over the issue.

The state unit has made the promise to counter the BJD’s full-throated poll campaign on the issue. Incidentally, the BJP-led NDA government, of which the BJD was a constituent, had rejected the demand by the state.

The BJD, in its poll campaign, has cited the decision to give the special-category status to Seemandhra, as the Congress’ step-motherly attitude towards Odisha. The Centre had rejected the demand of the state on the ground that it did not meet the existing criteria which includes the applicant state sharing an international border.

Does Seemandhra have an international border? Naveen Patnaik and his party members are asking this question at all poll meetings.

At present, 11 states enjoy this status that entitles them liberal assistance from the Centre.

BJD vice president Kalpataru Das said: “Their (the BJP) manifesto is silent on this long-standing demand. It has not promised any new plans either for the poor and backward regions or the economically weaker sections. They concentrate more on communal agendas such as the Ram temple.”

“Our party has launched its relentless struggle for attainment of special category state status and it will continue its struggle,” said Das quoting the manifesto.

BJP state manifesto committee chairman Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, however, said: “It’s not possible to place every state’s demand in the central manifesto, which reflects national policy. Our state manifesto has prominently placed this demand. We will pursue it at the central level if our party comes to power.”

Harichandan said the BJP had earlier suggested the BJD to call an all-party meeting to fight for the issue jointly. “Unfortunately, the BJD preferred to make it part of its vote bank politics.”