Chhattisgarh vote will queer BJP’s pitch in West Odisha

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Bhubaneswar: The change of guard in Chhattisgarh will likely rub off on the political landscape of western Odisha – a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). stronghold in the last rural elections. With the Congress back in the saddle in Raipur now, the saffron voyage in western districts may face political headwinds during 2019 elections.
More than the politics in the neighbouring state, it is the nature of handling of the Mahanadi issue by the Congress government that will change the narrative in the 10 western districts.
The river issue has been a talking point in Odisha with the ruling Biju Janata Dal never failing to make the most of it. Also, as the election gets closer, the BJD will try to further ratchet up the issue and make it a poll plank against the BJP and the Congress depending on how it will be handled by Chhattissgarh.
The state Congress on its own will try to put the Mahanadi issue to its advantage. It may urge its high command to maintain status quo on the issue so that it can turn it to its advantage. “We will certainly take up the issue with the new government,” Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said. He added that PCC would discuss with the new government and try to resolve the dispute amicably.
The BJP, which is already in the back foot with regard to its stance on the Mahanadi row, is likely to suffer more as the Congress government in Chhattisgarh will leverage Mahanadi to raise its poll prospects in Odisha. With Raman Singh no longer in power, he may not campaign in the region during the next elections.
Analysts say the BJP may prepare a strategy to overcome the situation. Sources in the party said its central leadership is preparing a new strategy to up its poll prospects here.
The BJD expressed confidence that it would gain from the poll outcome while the Congress and the BJP believe the change of guard in Chhattisgarh will have positive impact on Odisha.
“The Congress has a weak presence in western Odisha while the BJP’s base will shrink after its debacle in the state polls,” senior BJD leader from western Odisha Puspendra Singhdeo said.
“The election results will have a positive impact on the state, especially in western Odisha. This will be on top of the huge anti-incumbency wave in the state,” Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra hoped. In his reaction, BJP leader Pradip Purohit said, anti-incumbency wave is sweeping the state and it will favour the BJP in 2019.