Odisha BJP – High on Social Media, Low on Ground

It’s true that the entry of Dharmendra Pradhan into Odisha politics, has created a big buzz in the political circle of the state, but it’s mostly confined to intelligentsia and social media. If we hold a poll or survey in social media, it looks like BJP will sweep the 2019 Assembly Polls and Dharmendra will be installed as the CM. But, the ground reality is completely different.

BJP is still struggling to make its presence felt in rural areas. While they have gained ground in Western Odisha, they remain non-existent in most parts of Coastal Belt and South Odisha. They don’t have energetic and spirited cadres who can sacrifice everything and put things at stake to fight in support of BJP. The state leaders are hardly in a position to offer anything to the grass root workers.

The impact of Narendra Modi is definitely visible across the country, and Odisha is no exception. Followers of Modi want to see BJP emerging as an alternative to BJD and Congress in Odisha with the hope that the PM would ensure development in the state. But, what about the state BJP leaders? Are they united enough? A big NO..

While Bijay Mohapatra and Dilip Ray are drifting away, there are many in state BJP, who don’t accept Dharmendra as their leader. See the press meets of BJP and you will get the answer. While BJD and Congress hold press meets with 2-3 leaders on the stage, one can see 5-7 leaders in BJP press meets. That shows and proves the power tussle and ego clashes between the leaders beyond doubt.

People of Odisha have seen rules of Congress and BJD. Although BJP was in power for 9 years, BJD had the upper hand and did not allow the party grow apart from granting some personal benefits to its leaders. While one can feel for BJP as a party, there won’t be any sympathy of the leaders, who have ruined the organisation in the state for lust of power.

Dharmendra Pradhan remains the only hope for BJP in Odisha if it wants to revive. And, he must visit each and every districts of the state to rejuvenate party workers and cadres. Mere aggressive campaign on social media may not help the BJP to win the trust of the common people. They need to reach out to the masses and identify themselves with them.