Scam worries for Samal

Stung by the Centre’s decision to order a CBI inquiry into the MGNREGS scam, the Orissa government is shouting from the rooftops about its innocence. Panchayati Raj minister, Prafulla Samal went all out to convince the audience at a recent function that the state government had stuck to the norms and gone about executing projects under the scheme with complete transparency. Even chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who was present at the function, felt embarrassed by Samal’s obsession with the issue and sent him a discreet message to cut it short. Sources close to Samal said that the MGNREGS bee has entered the minister’s bonnet ever since the Centre decided to have irregularities under the scheme probed by the CBI.

Criticism for CM

The commitments that the state government made to the Maoist-chosen interlocutors to seek the release of Malkangiri district collector, R. Vineel Krishna, have returned to haunt chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Not just the Maoists but even the three interlocutors, including two well-known academics, have criticised Naveen for dragging his feet over the 14-point agreement the government had reached with them. Alleging that the government, instead of honouring its commitments, continued to turn a blind eye to the cases of atrocities against the tribals, they have warned that this may prove counterproductive in the longer run. On the other hand, many in the ruling Biju Janata Dal now feel that the government committed a blunder by negotiating with the Maoists for the release of Krishna.

Turf war

A fierce turf war is raging in Sambalpur between local BJP MLA Jaynarayan Mishra and former president of the party Suresh Pujari. According to BJP insiders, Pujari, who has been trying his luck unsuccessfully in elections from Brajrajnagar, is keen to shift to Sambalpur where he studied and made a name as a student leader. In fact, he had tried hard to supplant Mishra in Sambalpur even when he was the president of the party but the latter thwarted all such moves. Sources close to Mishra say there is no way the burly legislator can be dislodged from the position of strength he enjoys in the constituency where the BJP struck deep roots under his leadership. However, desperate to make his debut in the Assembly, Pujari may not stop trying.

PCC agony

Most Congressmen admit that the central party leadership is prolonging their agony and that of the incumbent Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, K. P. Singhdeo by taking longer to announce the name of the new state chief. As the suspense mounts with each passing day, the party rank and file in the state is unable to function as a unit given the severe erosion in the authority of Singhdeo, who is at best viewed as the “outgoing” president. The confusion and lack of motivation in the party is becoming more and more evident despite the pep talk of Jagdish Tytler, the AICC-appointee looking after Orissa Congress affairs. Tytler wants state leaders to focus on fighting the “corrupt” Naveen Patnaik-regime but at the moment they can’t think of anything except who their new president would be.

Tytler snub

Snubbed by Jagdish Tytler, former minister and senior state Congress leader Suresh Kumar Routray is lying low these days. Among the most energetic party leaders, the middle-aged Routray drew the ire of Tytler during the latter’s first visit to the state after taking charge of party’s Orissa affairs. Sources said Tytler got miffed with Routray for repeatedly speaking out of turn when he (Tytler) was interacting with mediapersons. Tytler had to ask Routray twice not to interrupt him while he was making a point.