Explained: Why Naveen now perceives threats from Modi, BJP

The 75-year-old astute CM who was elected for the fifth consecutive term in 2019 observed that political parties are behaving in party line even after getting elected and forming the government. He also said “every crime is being politicised and every action of the government is being seen from a political angle.”

Though the CM, who heads the regional Biju Janata Dal as its founder president, a key rival of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), did not mention name of any political party, analysts saw his remark was a straight rebuff of the saffron party’s persistent attack on his government over various issues.

The ruling BJD in Odisha has been at the receiving end as the BJP leaders constantly attack it on chit fund and mining scams, irregularities in procurement of healthcare hardwares and mismanagement Covid-19 crisis.

The BJP and the Congress leaders have also castigated the BJD government for distribution of Rs 5,000 each to all farmers of the during Rabi and Kharif season under KALIA (Krushak Assistance of Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme saying it was an attempt to buy votes of the peasant communities.

Like some of the Trinamool Congress leaders who were incarcerated for alleged links with ponzi firms, nearly half a dozen top BJD leaders were arrested earlier by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in chit fund scam.

A senior BJD leader and state minister is also facing serious murder charge while another minister’s name is being discussed for allegedly protecting the accused involved in the “kidnapping and murder” of a five-year-old girl in Nayagarh district.

“Elections are an essential feature of democracy. However, the hallmark of a mature democracy is that once elected, the Government are meant to work for people, beyond party lines. It’s high time that we as a country have serious introspection on whether we are able to do the same. Every crime is being politicised, every action of an elected Government is being seen from a political angle. This kind of an 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 Governments to function,” the Odisha CM said.

Naveen’s remark is also being seen a bid ward off the possible offensive the BJP might launch on his party post West Bengal elections. Though the BJD has held onto its roots despite repeated attempts by the BJP since both of them severed ties in 2009, the coming days might not be the same as the saffron party, which is just short of 3 seats in Rajya Sabha might go all-out after the West Bengal assembly polls. The BJP might or might not form the government in West Bengal but the party is surely likely to improve its tally and that would surely make the big difference. The BJP would no longer want to rely on BJD for passing bills in Rajya Sabha.

The BJP’s intention was recently made clear by party leader Amit Shah in a West Bengal meeting where he said the saffron party would complete its pan-India presence by winning West Bengal and then Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala.

Naveen has deciphered as  Shah meant and utilized the NITI Aayog platform to put the aspiring BJP at tight spot.