Bad taste

Apart from promoting a pollution free transport system, Raahgiri events are also aimed at generating a spirit of friendship and bonhomie. However, the event organised recently on Janpath to mark the completion of 25 weeks of Raahgiri saw frayed tempers with a member of a local skating academy roughing up a security guard. Around 100 skaters were displaying their skills on the stretch of the Janpath earmarked for the purpose. Trouble erupted when one of the skaters was warned by the security guard concerned not to go beyond the area designated for the sport. An argument ensued and in the heat of the moment the skater slapped the guard. Though the issue was quickly “sorted out” with the intervention of “higher-ups”, it left a bad taste in the mouth.

United BJP 

The highlight of BJP’s show of strength near Raj Bhavan on Monday was a rare display of unity by its senior leaders who till recently had been making news for working at cross-purposes. It was a pleasant surprise to see former state unit president K.V. Singh Deo sitting in the front rows with his wife and former Balangir MP Sangeeta Singh Deo. Their presence set at rest all speculation about the Maharaja of Patnagarh being cut up with the state leadership for not being taken into confidence on important issues. Former minister Bijoy Mohapatra, widely speculated to be disgruntled and leading his own faction in the party, was also present. No wonder the cadres were in high spirits and the leadership, too, was delighted at the success of the programme.

Balancing act

The clever politician that he is, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan has adopted the policy of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds on the Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, where a BJP government is in power. Instead of coming out openly in support of the Odisha government, he has suggested that the state government form a joint control board with its neighbour to sort out the issue while also approaching the Central Water Commission. Thus, while creating the impression of taking up the cause of his home state, he has ensured that he is not seen as acting against the interests of Chhattisgarh where his party’s government is in power. He seems to be performing a great balancing act at the moment.

Tough task

Former minister Prasanna Acharya may be back in political reckoning with his election to the Rajya Sabha, but he has several potential rivals in the Sambalpur-Bargarh belt to deal with. Leaders such as minister Snehangini Chhuria and Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari have been trying to control the area’s politics of which Acharya was once undisputed king. His defeat to Congress in the 2014 Assembly election from Bijepur gave his rivals the opportunity to tighten their hold on the area with many of his erstwhile supporters deserting him and joining the enemy camp. Though Acharya’s pride has been restored with chief minister sending him to the Upper House, it will take some time before he wins back the confidence of the people in his native Bargarh.

Ponzi shame 

The arrest of state youth Congress president Rajat Choudhary in connection with the money deposit collection scam has not only embarrassed his party, it has also deprived it of fighting on a major issue against the BJD. The Congress men, who had accusing the Naveen Patnaik-led government of being neck-deep in this scam and even shielding the accused, would now be wary of even raising the issue as it might boomerang on them. 

Though the party promptly suspended Choudhary following his arrest by the CBI, the taint remains and now its campaign against the government over the issue will lack credibility. “Choudhary had come under the investigating agency’s scanner long ago, but the Congress leaders kept silent. Now, they have no moral right to criticise the Naveen government,” said a BJD leader. 

FOOTNOTE

Hide-and-seek

Law minister Arun Sahu’s cup of woes is overflowing. Even as he was reeling from the Opposition’s attack on him for allegedly patronising tainted deputy director of factories and boilers Motilal Gauda, came allegations that he had not surrendered his advocate’s licence even after becoming a minister. 

The twin issues have provided the Opposition with sufficient fodder against him and the minister has been trying his best to avoid the media. Every time TV journalists try to get a byte from him on the controversy, he smiles politely and excuses himself. 

But with photographs of him in the company of Gauda being splashed across TV screens every other day by the local news channels, he will find it hard to keep quiet for long.