Likewise, another Congress candidate Nagabhusan Achary emerged victorious in the bypoll of Buguda NAC in Ganjam district, defeating his nearest rival candidate by 176 votes.
Since both these seats were earlier held by the BJD, questions may arise– Does today’s result show the sign of Congress’ come back in the state’s Panchayati Raj election in 2017? Or, is it the beginning of the end of BJD rule in the state? Or, will it affect the clean image of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the days ahead?
Such questions have been discussed time and again since last few years and the unanimous conclusion comes – BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik is invincible, at least for 2019 polls.
In contemporary politics of Odisha, many believe, there is no alternative leader in comparison to the stature of Naveen Patnaik. His clean image and zero tolerance to corruption win the heart of the people across the state. On the other hand, the opposition political parties mainly Congress and BJP are still not able to project a Chief Ministerial candidate, who can be widely acceptable by the people of Odisha in 2019.
Moreover, Naveen Parnaik is a smart politician. He knows how to win the elections. He cleverly hit the veins of poor and labour class people by implementing popular schemes for them. Yes, they are his vote bank.
The Chief Minister may be criticized for his inability to speak Odia language or making empowerment of few bureaucrats etc.; but that hardly put any obstacles to his victory march. However, the current situation is different. Gradually, people are unhappy on the issues of Chit fund fraud cases, Brahma Paribartan of Lord Jagannath, farmers’ suicide, mass unemployment, drinking water crisis, problems in health services, degrading education system, ration card scam, mining scam, heavy corruption in governance particularly in rural areas, and so on and so forth.
On the part of Congress, it has a strong political base in rural areas across the state. Their infighting among the top state leaders demoralizes the workers at grass root level. In addition, the series of defeat of the grand old party at various state polls after 2014 general election add the extra burden to Congress party and its leaders as well as workers and sympathizers. However, time has come for the Congress party to reach out the people of the state and share their real issues for socio-economic development of one and all. Can the Congress able to materialize the rising unhappiness of the people on the governance of the Naveen Government, remains to see.