Strongman

Owner of a jatra troupe, panchayati raj minister Pradeep Maharathy is known for his theatrical mannerism and style of speaking. Asked by journalists to comment on the possible impact of BJP president Amit Shah’s upcoming visit to the state, the Pipili strongman rolled his eyes and drawled: “Come Shah or anyone else, will not make any difference. In Odisha, only  Naveen Patnaik will rule. Where is the question of the lotus sprouting here when there is no water for it to grow?” State BJP president Basant Panda, in response, described Maharathy’s comment as a sign of hubris that would prove counter-productive.

Eye on polls

With the next elections barely two years away, Birmitrapur’s firebrand independent MLA George Tirkey has ramped up efforts to expand his base among tribal voters. The legislator, who began his career as a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, has launched an agitation demanding an autonomous council for the development of membersof the scheduled tribe. Taking potshots at the state government for its recent announcement about setting up special tribal development councils in nine districts, Tirkey accused it of trying to hoodwink the tribal community. "If they are serious, they should set up an autonomous council for the development of the community,” Tirkey remarked.

Family loyalty

Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan may be feeling down with the growing clamour for his removal, but his father-in-law and former minister Suresh Routray continues to be his exuberant self. Bubbling with energy, the veteran, who recently turned 74, celebrated his birthday with gusto. His followers went to town organising blood donation camps, drawing competitions and even a bhajan (devotional song) programme. Incidentally, Routray, who was a minister in the Congress government led by J.B. Patnaik, also remains confident about the future of his son-in-law. Irrespective of the sombre mood in the Harichandan camp, Routray has asserted time and again that he (Harichandan) would continue to be the party’s state unit chief

Young face

Call it coincidence, but all three prominent tribal leaders of the BJP — Giridhar Gamang, Jayram Pangi and Shiv Shankar Ulaka — hail from undivided Koraput district, where the party is trying to get a foothold. While Gamang, a former chief minister and Pangi, a former MP, are veterans, Ulaka is the party’s young face in the region and the most active among them. A livewire, he has led several agitations against the state government in the Rayagada belt, endearing himself to the people. If BJP sources are to be believed, Ulaka, who hails from a political family, is being consciously cultivated by the party leadership as he has the potential to emerge as a mass leader.

Bright future

The BJD’s deputy chief whip and Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari is fast emerging as the party’s youth face in west Odisha. While he has nurtured his constituency well, he has been leading the party’s campaign in the region on crucial issues such as Mahanadi water dispute. The baby-faced MLA, who holds an engineering degree, got lucky when former Rairakhol MLA and present Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya decided to try his luck from the Bijepur constituency in 2014. Acharya lost, but Pujari emerged victorious. Ever since, he has not looked back. “He is going from strength to strength. His future seems bright,” commented a senior BJD leader.

Tricky job

Health minister Pratap Jena is beginning to feel the pressure for the first time since assuming charge of the department. While it required a bit of diplomacy on his part to deal with the tricky situation that had recently emerged at Vimsar, Burla, with students of the institute demanding the removal of its director, he is now struggling to keep the spread of swine flu in check with cases being reported from various parts of the state. The real challenge is to keep the hospitals prepared to deal with these cases not only in terms of required medicines, but also sufficient number of doctors. With doctors still playing truant in hospitals located in far off areas, this is proving to be a stupendous task.

Ashutosh mishra