Is BJP Embracing The Legacy Of Odisha’s 1st Congress CM Harekrushna Mahtab ?

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been doing politics in Odisha banking on the legacy of legendary leader Biju Patnaik. Now, will Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) embrace the legacy of Odisha’s first Congress Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahtab ? The BJP government in Odisha has announced year-long celebrations to mark the 125th birth anniversary of ‘Utkal Kesari’ Harekrushna Mahtab, BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab’s father. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has said that the celebrations would begin with state-level functions from November 21 to 23. The government will also set up a memorial museum at Agarapada in Bhadrak district, Mahtab’s birthplace. Observers are keen to know whether the move is aimed to counter BJD’s Biju Patnaik legacy.

Big Plan Behind Mahtab Birth Anniversary Celebration!

While the 125th birth anniversary of Harekrushna Mahtab will be a year-long affair, the celebrations would begin with state-level functions from November 21 to 23. The government has also chalked out plans for setting up a memorial museum at Agarapada in Bhadrak district, Mahtab’s birthplace. Other endeavours such as publishing books on his contributions, a biopic about his life, and a centre at the Utkal University in his name are also being considered. However, one wonders as to why BJP is keen to adopt the legacy of Mahtab in Odisha. After having defeated BJD in the last elections with a clarion call for upholding ‘Odia Asmita’, the saffron party appears to be planning to move forward with the legacy of Mahtab, seen by many as an architect of modern Odisha.

Biju VS Harekrushna

BJD was named after legendary leader and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. The people of Odisha gave an opportunity of late Biju’s son Naveen Patnaik an opportunity to remain Chief Minister for 24 years primarily because of their love and affection towards the legendary leader. Many popular schemes launched in Odisha have been named after Biju Patnaik and the regional party derived immense political milage by embracing his legacy. The regional party received both support and votes with Biju’s name, while BJP did not have the advantage of any tall leader’s legacy. Harekrushna Mahtab was also a Chief Minister like Biju Patnaik. Though Mahtab had started his political career in Congress, he is known for his opposition to former prime minister Indira Gandhi and the Emergency. He had also gone to jail for opposing emergency, which fits him well into the BJP line of politics. While BJD has been deriving immense benefit from people’s affection for Biju Patnaik, BJP seems to be planning a master stroke by adopting Mahtab’s name.

Mahtab Legacy On Asmita Pitch

Mahtab is considered an architect of modern Odisha, helping freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with the merger of 26 Odia-speaking princely states into India. A freedom fighter, social reformer and Gandhian who fought against untouchability, his legacy is seen as having helped shape Odia Asmita. The latter part of his life, when he had a falling-out with Indira Gandhi and was subsequently jailed for opposing the Emergency, fits well with the BJP’s playbook.
In 2021, three years before the Odisha assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed appreciation for the ‘Utkal Kesari’. While releasing the Hindi translation of Mahtab’s book ‘Odisha Itihas’ on 9 April 2021, Modi said, “Mahtab ji dedicated his life to the freedom struggle and dedicated his youth…But what is important is that along with the freedom struggle, he also fought for society. In the movement against casteism and untouchability, he also opened his ancestral temple to all castes… It was a very courageous decision in that era.” His son Bhartruhari Mahtab had joined BJP after quitting BJD ahead of the last elections. He was subsequently elected to Lok Sabha from Cuttack Parliamentary constituency. Now, BJP is all set to create a new chapter on Odia Asmita pitch with Mahtab legacy.