With BJP close on its heels, BJD turns its focus on tribes

Odisha CM to visit Mayurbhanj district to inaugurate irrigation projects

Days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s pep talk to cadres here to strengthen the BJP from the grassroots, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s scheduled visit to Mayurbhanj on Friday has given rise to speculation of renewal of rivalry between the two parties in the tribal heartland.

Mr. Patnaik will visit Mayurbhanj, the home district of President Droupadi Murmu, to inaugurate irrigation projects on the Subarnarekha and Deo rivers on Friday. Subarnarekha is an ongoing project that began in 1994. Of the 1.14 lakh hectare land of irrigation potential in Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts, only 15,000 hectare has been covered. The Odisha CM will launch works to bring another 17,000 hectare under the irrigation project. The Deo irrigation project will irrigate 9,900 hectares in Mayurbhanj and adjoining Keonjhar districts.

As there is no election round the corner, Mr. Patnaik’s visit would have been treated with no political significance. However, the visit to Mayurbhanj, where tribals constitute 58% of the district’s population, is taking place days after the party – apparently for the first time – celebrated World Tribal Day on August 9 on a major scale. It was seen as the BJD’s concerted effort to consolidate its image as a pro-tribal party.

Political observers attribute the sudden spurt in the BJD’s activities, especially on tribal matters, to Mr. Shah’s repeated emphasis on Mr. Murmu’s election.

The Home Minister came to the State on Monday after almost two years, but it was enough to perturb the BJD. At three major meetings Mr. Shah attended in Bhubaneswar, he unfailingly narrated the election of Ms. Murmu to the highest office of the country and said the good times of Odisha had arrived. “Droupadi Murmu who was born in a poor family of Odisha went on to become the President of India. The Constituent Assembly used to be represented by people from all walks of life from all States. But, it had one lacuna that it did not have a place for a tribal woman. This is a moment of pride for tribal societies of the country and Odisha,” former BJP president had underlined.

Veteran journalist Rabi Dash said, “Like the BJP that swiftly tackles political challenges nationally, the BJD is also quick to do course correction if it sees any political threat. The BJD’s political leaderships know that tribal voters remain faithful to a political party for a long period. This is the reason why the Congress still has a sizeable vote bank among tribals. The regional party does not want tribals to shift their loyalty to the BJP in wake of Ms. Murmu becoming the President.”

“Odisha is home to 62 tribal groups, including 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups, the most diverse tribal population in the country. The BJD had never celebrated World Tribal Day at the party office before. The celebration on August 9 this year was clearly intended at sending across a message to tribal communities,” Mr. Dash said.