Orissa Undercuts BJP's Claim over Delhi

Orissa Undercuts BJP’s Claim to Delhi
K.Veeraiah

The developments taking place with jet speed in Orissa undercutting the BJP’s claims over coming back to power in Delhi. And also these developments cleared decks for BJD to join hands with Left parties in Orissa and also to be part of non-Congress, non-BJP alternative under formation. In multiple ways the Orissa developments are important in the current context.

Navin Patnaik’s BJD is the long standing ally of BJP only next to its traditional ally Shiv Sena. The alliance of BJD and BJP began cracking in the wake of Kandhamal violence. Navin Patnayak has to face even censure from Central Government and also from Supreme Court over his inability in protecting the minorities of the state. He tried to reign the Saffran brigade which is fore front in attacking minorities. These attacks went uninterruptedly for more than two years. Particularly in consequent to killing of Swami by Naxalites, saffron brigade found an opportunity to prove their hegemony over minorities. These developments drew flack from all over the country and BJD government in dock since then. The current breaking of alliance with BJP will be a major step in instilling confidence among the Christian minorities of the state.

Another important aspect of this falling out is in numbers. Orissa sends 21 MPs to Lok Sabha. Currently except three, all MPs form part of NDA’s kitty. Current developments are a big jolt L.K.Advani, Prime Ministerial candidate of NDA personally. BJP 7 out of 9 where as BJP got 11 out of 12. Now BJP stands to loose in numbers as it will be contesting on its own. Even if it wins its earlier number ( 7) which is unlikely, NDA’s kitty will be reduced by 11 automatically. This will thwart BJP’s claim to power in Delhi in the current elections.

One more important aspect of this de-merger of alliance is the timing. These developments took place at a time when NDA’s lead partner BJP seriously locked up in seat sharing negotiations with other partners Shiv Sena, in Maharashtra and JD(U) in Bihar. So far BJP could complete the seat sharing agreement successfully only with AGP of Assam. In Maharashtra and Bihar consists of 88 Lok Sabha seats, BJP is minor partner. As per the news reports , in Bihar, BJP will be satisfied with 16 seats. The Maharashtra sharing out come is yet to see the light. With the BJD parting ways, other regional satraps will also muscle down BJP and forcing it to reduce their claim over number. If BJP did not falls in line, the existence of NDA will be at a stake. If BJP wants to keep NDA together, it has to bow down in front of JD(U) and Shiv Sena. In either case, the prospects for increase in current numbers in both states is a distant dream for BJP with out which it can’t think of sitting on the Delhi thrown. In Maharashtra BJP already tasted the ire of Shiv Sena when Its octogenarian chief of Shiv Sena refused a request to meet BJP prime ministerial candidate.

The last but not least aspect of current developments in Orissa is that this brings non-Congress secular forces on to single platform there by strengthening the secular forces and unleashing the new ear in the state politics. Navin Patnayak, after announcing in Bhubneswhar on Satuday night that his truck with BJP is over, immediately contacted CPI(M) leaders Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury in Delhi. He also invited Yechury to Bhubaneswhar to work out on the future course of action.