BACK IN THE NDA EMBRACE?
Odisha Chief Minister’s most trusted aide turns against him, but revolt fizzles out
An attempted revolt against Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by Biju Janata Dal ( BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra may bring Patnaik a step closer to returning to the National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) fold.
Mohapatra, a once trusted aide of Patnaik, had timed his revolt well, with the Chief Minister away on a trip to the UK. Despite his efforts, Mohapatra failed to drum up the support of more than 33 MLAs in a party that boasts of 104 MLAs in a 147- strong Assembly. The revolt fizzled out. However, it was a red flag for the Chief Minister.
Reacting on the overnight rebellion, a senior BJD leader said, “The realisation must have dawned on Patnaik that with Congress ready to lend support to people conspiring against him, he can hope to survive only with the support of NDA, even though he has cut off his ties with BJP in the state.” The leader says that the Chief Minister is now likely to rethink his efforts to promote a new third front. “He needs a tried and tested front like NDA,” he added.
If Patnaik decides to take such a step, he would be welcomed by both BJP and NDA who are looking for support from regional satraps. In fact, leaders of the state BJP, given their poor performance in the last elections, are keen on reviving their ties with the Patnaik- led BJD.
Meanwhile, Mohapatra continues to be defiant. He has challenged the party leadership to take action against him. Until last year, he was regarded as a super chief minister who called the shots from behind the scenes. He also handpicked party candidates in the elections. However, his unbridled power had begun to cause resentment within the party. Some traditionalists who had worked with the late Biju Patnaik were beginning to question Mohapatra’s authority. The Chief Minister had ignored them then. Clearly, he can’t afford to do so now.