Tuesday fixture

Queer as it may seem, for the last 15 years, Assembly sessions have almost invariably begun on Tuesdays instead of Mondays, the first day of the week. The upcoming winter session of the legislature, scheduled to commence from December 1, will be no exception. The question being asked in the political circles is whether this is a mere coincidence or if this happens by design. A probable answer was provided by a source in the ruling BJD itself. The state government chooses to avoid a Monday to begin the session as this is the designated day for questions and answers of the home and general administration departments, both of which are headed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who is apparently loathe to being grilled by the Opposition on the opening day of the session, the source said.

Rout sulks 

Excise and cooperation minister Damodar Rout, one of the senior-most in the Naveen Patnaik cabinet, has been sulking since not being invited to ruling BJD’s farmers’ convention at Sohela, a major show of strength by the party. Quizzed by scribes on the issue, the veteran made no attempt to hide his feelings. Soon after the event, Rout was asked by an Odia TV channel reporter: “Apana jane baristha neta, apanku kahinki daka gala nahin? (You are a senior leader, why were you not invited?)” Fighting hard to rein in his emotions, the minister replied: “Mun baristha nuhen bayask neta au kanistha mantri (I am not senior, I am an aged leader and a junior minister).”

Bitter diatribe

Facing the threat of being dropped from the ministry, agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy is beginning to behave like a dissident. Many eyebrows were raised when he recently criticised his own government on the alleged irregularities in the distribution of ration cards under the Food Security Act (FSA). Not ready to pull his punches, the minister cited some categorical examples of blunders committed while distributing the cards. For example, he argued that it was unfair to deprive Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana beneficiaries of ration cards just because they had concrete houses, thanks to the scheme. Maharathy’s diatribe may have raised hackles among certain sections of the ruling party leaders but there are many who secretly agree that the minister has a point.

Fan following

Hard working but self-effacing Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi has a sizeable fan following, among them some young college-going girls. 

The other day, at the  BJD’s students’ convention in Bhubaneswar, one of his female fans was seen pestering him for an autograph. Blushing with embarrassment, the officer, who must have realised that he was under the gaze of senior BJD leaders present on the occasion, politely turned down her request. Bhoi’s colleagues can be excused for being envious as it is not often that a police officer becomes the object of such adulation by his fans.

Craving attention 

Political circles are abuzz with speculation about a possible ministry reshuffle and hopefuls in the BJD are trying their best to catch chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s eye. For most of them, the best way of doing this is to mark their attendance at party programmes graced by Naveen. Former Assembly speaker Maheswar Mohanty was perhaps the last among senior BJD leaders to arrive at the party’s students’ convention in Bhubaneswar last week. He walked in huffing and puffing, his face covered with sweat. But the exertion notwithstanding, he appeared duly satisfied as he took his seat near the dais where the chief minister sat, keenly watching the activities of his party leaders. For Mohanty, who has been out of the ministry for sometime now, it was important to be noticed by Naveen and he was obviously happy having achieved his purpose. 

FOOTNOTE

Odia feast

Even as his son-in-law and Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan goes all out against the Naveen Patnaik government, former minister Suresh Kumar Routray is doing his best to keep mediapersons in good humour. 
Known for his earthy humour, Routray, who enjoys an excellent rapport with most journalists in Bhubaneswar, is 
also a good host who loves organising feasts with typical Odia delicacies on the menu. 
Last week, minutes before Harichandan addressed a news conference at the Congress Bhavan, Routray was seen inviting mediapersons for a chhadkhai feast that marks the end of the holy month of Kartik during which Odias shun non-vegetarian food. 

The invitation, it goes without saying, was lapped by most of the scribes present.