Homage to Lulu
Followers of former Congress MLA Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra observed his first death anniversary with posters and cut-outs bearing flattering slogans in the state capital. While some of the slogans sought to thrust royalty on Lulu, whose family claims to be the descendant of legendary freedom fighter Buxi Jagabandhu, the one that grabbed maximum eyeballs read “Ek Tha Tiger” echoing the title of a Salman Khan film in which he plays the eponymous character of a tough secret agent. The poster, which many thought projected a larger-than-life image of Lulu, is certain to trigger a debate in tpolitical circles.
Miffed minister
Agriculture minister Damodar Rout seems to be miffed at revenue minister Maheshwar Mohanty’s announcement that even farmers, who had set their pest-hit crops on fire, would be entitled to compensation. Mohanty made the announcement last Monday at an official briefing following the state agri-cabinet’s meeting even as Rout, who had earlier said that such farmers might not get any compensation, looked on. Sources said Mohanty, who made the announcement apparently following the cabinet’s nod on the issue, was keen to allay farmers’ apprehensions in the wake of Rout’s warning, which had triggered widespread criticism and was bound to have a political fallout for the government.
Pest attack row
Labour minister and Bhatli MLA Sushant Singh seems to have stirred the hornet’s nest by suggesting that the BJP had instigated Bargarh farmer Brunda Sahu, who had burnt his paddy crop following a pest attack, to commit suicide. Stung by the allegation, the BJP is pulling out all stops to prove him wrong. Its Padampur MLA Pradip Purohit accused Singh of a misinformation campaign, while asserting that the state government was insensitive towards farmers’ plights. From the look of things, it is fast turning into a personal war between Singh and Purohit, who both hail from Bargarh district.
Flex headache
The flex board put up near the BJP office on the first anniversary of demonetisation for people to sign and express support for the Centre’s drive against black money is still largely blank. Though BJP leaders are unwilling to comment on the lack of response, independent observers attribute it to growing resentment among people against the NDA for its failure to put the economy back on track. “A section, especially youths, are just not interested in such gimmicks,” said an observer.
Uncertain future
Rourkela Development Authority chairman and former minister Sarada Prasad Nayak is keeping a low profile. The leader, who was allegedly trying to influence voters during the panchayat polls, is struggling to keep politically afloat. While he is finding it hard to break BJP MLA Dilip Ray’s grip on voters, his relation with colleague and Raghunathpali MLA Subrat Tarai has been less than cordial. His political future seems uncertain and no one can tell for sure if he will get the party ticket from Rourkela next time.
Ashutosh Mishra
Footnote
Veteran BJD leader Bishnu Charan Das seems to be going through a rough patch. First, he was made to resign from his Rajya Sabha seat to make room for party spokesperson P.K. Deb. Now, he finds himself in an awkward situation because of statements about the Kunduli gang-rape. Though Das, who happens to be the BJD’s Jagatsinghpur district unit chief, claims that his statements were distorted by the media, the explanation has failed to convince his own party leadership. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik gave him a tongue lashing when he called on him at Naveen Nivas recently. The incident must have rattled Das.
