Parties in Odisha reshape strategies

Political parties in Odisha, mostly the ruling BJD and Opposition BJP and Congress, have gone back to the drawing board to redraft their strategies on future politics. The rethinking in all the political camps was prompted by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP’s astounding victory in Delhi Assembly elections, largely because of its pro-poor welfare measures.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik has started taking a relook at its existing schemes and policies for socioeconomic empowerment of women, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe and youths. It has also started reviewing the current status of its `2-per kg rice distribution scheme through Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-Day Meal at government schools and `5 Aahar scheme in urban areas.

The BJD has been in power since 2000, improving its vote percentage almost every time. Despite enormous efforts and aggressive campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other top leaders in the party, the BJD president Naveen Patnaik, like AAP chief Arivind Kejriwal, has always succeeded to turn the tide in his favour.

After the AAP’s complete rout in 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Delhi in which the BJP won all the seven seats, Mr Kejriwal studied the Naveen Patnaik’s poll campaign strategies in successive elections. He found Naveen held his nerve and never spoke a word against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other leaders of the BJP who came down on him during the campaign on corruption issue.