By D.N. Singh
In the midst of fluctuating political climate between the Biju Janata Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in a on-again and off again course, the speculations about a dramatic scenario in Odisha politics can’t be ruled out. Moreover, amid the air of euphoria generated by a visibly renewed bonhomie between the above two parties are for nothing.
Former BJD leader Damodar Rout, now viewed to be a sheet anchor of the BJP, is always known for his penchant for creating ripples in politics. This time around, he has, after a good break, tried to prophesize ominous for the party he is in. Rout does not see a reason how the BJP can make it to form a government in Odisha.
But, Rout’s intent to play political footsie is very clear. While not being so unkind to the BJP, the former BJD veteran has been quoted to have said that, the BJP’s claim to bag about 60 to 65 seats, a jump from only 10 in 2014, seems to be too tall an order. Even he has not transacted any guess over Dharmenra Pradhan’s claim to invite Naveen Patnaik to the swearing in ceremony of the BJP in Odisha and has nearly side stepped the matter as a pipe dream of sort.
Rout knows, days before the results to come out by such talks he might risk to confront political challenges from the BJP itself. But that is what Rout thinks and goes ahead to say that the chances of the BJD to romp back with a mandate as massive as 2014 is an uphill task this time. Which, according to Rout , can throw open an avenue where a truck between the two warring parties can come into play.
Going a step forward Rout, has reportedly touched the raw nerve of the BJP top echelons saying that, in 2014 also Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Odisha to woo the voter but the BJP had suffered the humiliation of winning only one Lok sabha seat and in a near walkover the BJD made it to a crushing win of 20 out of 21 Lok sabha seats.
During his chat with the media, Rout’s focus was in many ways tilted at an alliance between the BJD and the BJP knowing well such a reprieve this time may last long in a backdrop of high voltage bellicosity that played itself up for over last six months.
One may brand this elderly politician as a loose cannon but Damodar Rout for once has a positive takeaway for a change.
