Odisha: An eventful year passed by, New Year 2022 promises to be more action-packed
Covid-19 eclipsed state politics 2020; 2021 witnessed intense action
By Nalini Shu
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 31: The year 2020 almost saw no politics in Odisha as the Covid-19 crisis engulfed the entire state. The first month of 2021 was also passed in similar fashion. However, from February, the state witnessed massive political activities with the Opposition upping up its ante against the Naveen Patnaik government that has been in power in the state for over 21 years now.
Politics over a Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines, conservation of ancient temples and monuments; crime against women and pelting of stones at the convoys of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, his Cabinet colleagues and MLAs of ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) dominated the political landscape.
The members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, the two major opposition forces, were seen adopting ‘Ande ka Funda’ ( hurling of eggs) to put pressure on the CM Mr Patnaik to sack his home minister Divya Shankar Mishra for his alleged complicity with Gobinda Sahoo, the murder accused Kalahandi’s lady teacher Mamita Meher.
On February 20, 2021, in a brief speech at the sixth meeting of the Niti Aayog’s governing council, CM Naveen Patnaik said ‘too much politics’ is not doing any good to the country’s democracy. Every crime is being politicized; every action of an elected government is being seen from a political angle. This kind of atmosphere is one of the biggest threats to the pace of development and peace in the country. It’s high time the country gets out of this election mode and allows elected state governments to function.”
The CM’s statement, as political analysts put it, aimed at targeting the BJP, the main rival his party BJD, as the former has been waging a relentless war against him to grab power in the state.
For months, the BJP and Congress targeted the Odisha government over police inaction for an impartial probe into the murder of a five-year-old girl of in Nayagarh district. The Opposition alleged that state minister Arun Kumar Sahoo was protecting the key accused of the murder and bayed for his blood. Grand rallies and marches were organised seeking justice for Pari.
Intense political activities started after ghastly murder of lady teacher Mamita Meher came to light came to the fore on October 12, four days after she was allegedly smothered to death, cut into pieces and charred in pit with motor tyres and firewood by the key accused. Mamita had threatened to expose a high-profile sex-scandal of Sunshine Public School which was often visited by home minister Divya Shankar Mishra.
As the February 2022 rural polls approach, the state politics which has taken a brief hiatus for Christmas period festivities, is expected to go full steam. The outcome of the rural polls will be seen as a prelude to 2024 Odisha Assembly polls.
