BJP is trying hard to capture Odisha in the coming general election. All efforts are in to dislodge the Naveen Patnaik led BJD government. At present, BJD is having 118 MLAs out of 147 members’ assembly and in solid position. BJP is having just 10 MLAs and in 3rd position, even not the opposition party in the assembly.
BJD is continuing its 4th term and the electoral moods looks in favour of BJD for another term in Odisha. No doubt the upbeat BJP is campaigning vigorously in Odisha and their central leaders like Amit Shah and even PM Narendra Modi are visiting regularly to charge the BJP cadre. BJP has gain overall vote percentage but could not materialize in to winning elections in recent past after the panchayat election.
Let’s check the exact status of BJP after little recent political development. Baijayanta Panda, former BJD MP and a businessman has left BJD and likely to join BJP. Daughter of Lulu Mohapatra joined BJP leaving Congress and Shisir Gomango son of former CM Giridhar Gomango join BJP. These 3 people may benefit BJP. How many seats, 5 each? It becomes 15 in total. And let’s assume that all the standing MLAs of BJP are winning again though the result may differ. Let’s add 5-10 more seats from other parts of Odisha. Then it becomes 35 seats in total. The mission 120 + of BJP and dream of Dharmendra Pradhan to become the CM of Odisha gets shattered down.
Hold on, politics is store-house of all possibility. If Dharmendra Pradhan wish he can become the CM and BJP may rule another state, not Odisha but Kosal. Yes, the western part of Odisha popularly known as Kosal region is demanding for a separate state since last few decades due to its backwardness and different identity than coastal Odisha. It consist of 36 MLAs seats. BJP has better response in Kosal than coastal. Maximum MLAs of present Odisha BJP are from Kosal and the only MP is also from Kosal region.
As a state, Kosal is economically viable. It is rich with mineral mines and forest product like Tendu leaves which is the major source of revenue generation in today’s Odisha. Kosal is also the highest producer of paddy and other agricultural products like pulses etc. Again Kosal is known for producing ikat clothes like saree etc which is world famous. Kosal can become a self sustainable unit economically and there will be development and all round progress if it is separated from Odisha.
It is a practical win-win situation for BJP and Kosal.
Saket Sreebhushan Sahu comments on politics and culture