Naveen Patnaik rejigs 2019 ‘game changer’ to boost BJD prospects ahead of 2024 polls

The newly-announced initiative seems to be a repackaging of “Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash”, (our village, our development) — a scheme which turned out to be a “game changer” for the BJD after it suffered a setback in the 2017 panchayat polls, which saw an improvement in the tally of the principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The scheme is believed to have helped the BJD retain power for the fifth consecutive term by clinching the 2019 state Assembly elections.

“Despite BJD’s loss in 2017 panchayat polls and BJP’s emergence as a key challenger, our party managed to sail through the 2019 Assembly polls with a thumping victory. We also won 12 of 21 Lok Sabha seats. The ‘Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash’ scheme was a key catalyst in addressing people’s discontent with regard to the government,” said a senior BJD leader, who did not want to be named.

According to BJD sources, the party will use the newly-announced scheme to neutralise the public’s “anti-incumbency” sentiments ahead of the 2024 simultaneous polls. The new scheme refers to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik whereas the earlier BJD government’s schemes were named after his father, Biju Patnaik, until recently. The reference to the CM’s name in this scheme, which is part of the BJD’s new political messaging, showcases the rise of Naveen, who has been at the helm of the state government since March 2000.

“The new scheme has the vision of a new Odisha…aspirational Odisha … modern Odisha, while retaining the essence…. the soul and the spirit of Odisha. It will herald a new Odisha – modern, dynamic and responsive – for our youth …. our women and children, entrepreneurs, farmers and tribals,” the CM said in a statement.

Like its erstwhile avatar, the Patnaik government has allocated funds for the current scheme based on suggestions by people from districts through video conferencing. Around 8,000 panchayats will get grants of Rs 50 lakh to take up various projects. Panchayats will be able to sanction individual projects up to Rs 10 lakh per project, including strengthening internet connectivity, developing playgrounds and science parks, training facilities, work hubs and skill centres for rural entrepreneurs – especially women – and projects to bridge the gap in education infrastructure, providing banking facilities and digital infrastructure at the village level.

“Every panchayat has places of local importance, rooted in spirituality and history. It is important for our future generations that they be preserved and protected. And who better to do this important work than our Panchayati Raj institutions through the new scheme,” Patnaik said.

The CM’s office has also been reviewing the implementation of projects under the older scheme. “When a project is sanctioned and implemented in a time-bound manner, it helps significantly to address discontent and anger among people. The new scheme is a step towards beating anti-incumbency,” said the BJD leader.

Like Ama Gaon Ama Bikash Yojana, the new scheme would enable locals, panchayats representatives and other stakeholders to recommend projects to the government.

In the last few months, Patnaik’s private secretary VK Pandian has received various development-oriented proposals from citizens as he tours different districts, even as his visits have been questioned by the Opposition parties. Official sources said most of these proposals will be sanctioned under the new “Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha” scheme.

The decision to grant funds to protect places of worship and sites of historical significance may also be aimed at taking a “soft Hindutva” line to checkmate the BJP in the state, according to some observers.

The Patnaik government has already announced multiple projects worth several thousand crores to beautify popular shrines including Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, Lord Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar and the Sun Temple at Konark and others in different parts of the state.

Criticising the scheme, former state BJP president, Samir Mohanty, alleged that several projects sanctioned under Ama Gaon Ama Bikash Yojana were yet to be completed and claimed that the government announced a new scheme to “placate” people ahead of next year’s polls.

Congress leader and former Odisha chief secretary, Bijay Patnaik, said the scheme would provide work to “BJD-leaning contractors”.