Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a grievance hearing session, the first outside the state capital, in Odisha’s Sambalpur city on Monday.
He was accompanied by nine ministers and 12 Secretary Rank officers.
A single-window system was adopted for grievance redressal, facilitating immediate assistance, particularly for those battling critical or incurable diseases. A total of 18 persons received medical aid amounting to Rs 19.5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for medical treatment expenses.
The hullabaloo surrounding the event has thrown up numerous questions. Why did the CM decide to step out of the state capital to hold a public grievance hearing? Why was Sambalpur specifically chosen for the purpose? Why was he accompanied by Cabinet ministers?
Focus on Western Odisha
Even before coming to power, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enjoyed a strong base in western Odisha. In 2019 elections, despite the dominance of the BJD, the saffron party improved its Lok Sabha tally to 8 by bagging all constituencies – Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi – in western Odisha, besides winning Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Bhubaneswar.
In the last election, western Odisha led the BJP’s narrative to clinch power in the state with heavyweight leaders like Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan contesting from Sambalpur. The situation came to such a pass that BJD president Naveen Patnaik had to contest from Kantabanji Assembly seat in Balangir, besides his traditional bastion of Hinjili, to send a message to the voters that he is committed to the region, leading to his first electoral defeat.
Meanwhile, the Congress has appointed Bhakta Das as OPCC president to strengthen its base in western Odisha.
The public hearing in Sambalpur assumes significance in view of the upcoming panchayat and municipal elections with the party working to retain its traditional vote bank.
BJP’s Message of Unity
In the recent past, senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra has stirred controversy with his statements and put the party in a difficult position. There are murmurs about him being sidelined in the party. However, the BJP has so far kept mum on those remarks, including those related to state anthem ‘Bande Utkal Janani’. It has neither condemned his statements nor initiated any action against him.
Meanwhile, Sambalpur MP and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is actively touring various parts of the state.
By holding the public hearing in Sambalpur, CM Majhi has conveyed a message of unity within the BJP government.
Projecting Itself As People’s Government
Since coming to power, the BJP has targeted the previous ‘aloof’ Naveen Patnaik government while projecting itself as a people’s government. Majhi revived the public grievance hearing, discontinued since 2008, soon after taking charge as the CM, at his official residence at Unit-V from July 1, 2024.
By holding the hearing in Sambalpur and reaching out to the people directly, the Mohan Majhi government has sent out a clear message on its accessibility. Thus, narrowing the gap between the government and the people.
Also, the BJP government has no recent achievement to hard sell. It has not taken any significant, visible step despite being in power for 10 months. This initiative is, therefore, being seen as a move to instil confidence in the public and establish itself as a people’s government.
Besides underscoring unity within the party, the BJP has attempted to counter internal controversies, and reinforce the government’s image as accessible and people-centric with this one public hearing. Sambalpur as the place of choice points at fostering trust and engagement while strengthening its regional influence ahead of upcoming elections.
Is Berhampur next on the government’s agenda?