Proactive Naveen

The just concluded collectors’ conference in Bhubaneswar revealed a change of attitude on part of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who used to take, at best, a perfunctory interest in the annual event organised by the state government. Naveen was seen taking a keen interest in deliberations and even made his presence felt during group discussions on major issues concerning the administration. According to sources in the BJD,  the change can be attributed to the party’s below-par performance in the recent panchayat elections in certain areas of the state where the BJP made gains. “He cannot afford to take things lightly any more,” said a party leader.

Oram’s fury

Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram is said to be livid at the egg attack on his convoy by BJD workers in Kendrapara district. Sources close to the veteran leader from Sundargarh said his anger stemmed from the fact that he did not expect such protests in his home state. There have been similar attacks in the past on visiting Union ministers such as Santosh Gangwar and Radha Mohan Singh, the last one coming a few days before the incident in Kendrapara.

However, in both the cases, the controversies generated quickly died down. Singh, in fact, played it down, saying he had not seen any attack on his vehicle. But Oram seems determined to get even with the state government and has written to Union home minister Rajnath Singh highlighting the lack of security in the state for visiting ministers from Delhi.

‘Rational’ Rout

Agriculture minister Damodar Rout believes in speaking his mind. Unfazed by the controversies his statements had triggered in the past, Rout recently said if crop loans were to be waived in Odisha, the benefit should be extended only to farmers who actually raised crops and not to those who put their land to other uses. Rout’s comment, made in the context of demand for farm loan waiver in Odisha like in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, is likely to raise another storm with vested interests among the farming community bound to question it.

But, the minister’s statement has also drawn support from a section of people. “He has taken a bold and rational stand,” said one of them.

Vocal support

As his detractors ramp up their campaign for his removal, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan continues to maintain a stoic silence over the issue. However, his father-in-law and former minister Suresh Kumar Routray remains quite vocal and has refused to be disheartened by the activities of the dissidents, who plan to visit Delhi again for discussions with central leaders.

“They have every right to go and meet central leaders, because it is they, who take the decisions. They are the head of our family,” said Routray, who is confident that his son-in-law would complete his full term.

Comeback hope

Former minister Jaynarayan Mishra has been lying low since he was suspended from the BJP for defying the party’s decision in the zila parishad election in Sambalpur and his supporters’ unruly behaviour. Though Mishra had then asserted that he would always be a part of the BJP, his bravado has been of no use with the party keeping him at arm’s length. Mishra himself has become less vocal and now tries his best to steer clear of controversies. His supporters, however, are hopeful that he would stage a comeback.

“The party will, sooner or later, realise his worth and lift the suspension order against him,” said one of his supporters.

Party rivalry

The rivalry between former ministers Sarada Prasad Nayak and Subrat Tarai, two BJD veterans from Rourkela, is escalating with the next general elections barely two years away. While Tarai represents Raghunathpalli in the Assembly, Nayak was MLA for the adjoining Rourkela seat in the past. If BJD sources are to be believed, both are trying to under-cut each other's support base, which is impacting the morale of party workers in the region. Even Sundargarh district BJD president Mangala Kisan is struggling to ensure discipline, which is a must if the BJD hopes to check the growth of the BJP in the region.

Health burden

Health minister Pratap Jena is finding the portfolio too hot to handle with reports of irregularities in hospitals and health centres surfacing almost every day. While the latest reports of irregularities in the functioning of health centres have come from Kendrapara and Puri, there have also been allegations of the poor not getting ambulances and being forced to arrange their own conveyance to reach hospitals, even in emergency situations. As if this wasn’t enough, doctors in many interior parts continue to play truant. Jena’s predecessors had wrestled with these problems without much success and now he has inherited their burden.