Rally over, it’s party time for Pyari

After organising two successful rallies in Bhubaneswar and Bhawanipatna within a month, Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) chairman Pyarimohan Mohapatra on Monday indicated that the Morcha will be converted into a political party if the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, do not ‘reform’ themselves.

The next course of action will, however, be decided after consultation with the workers, Pyarimohan told this paper after Kranti Samabesh in Bhawanipatna on Monday. “The next course of action will eventually be floating of the political party if they (BJD leaders) do not reform.”

Pyarimohan did not elaborate on how many seats the Morcha will contest in the next elections. “My priority is now to organise the Morcha all over the State,” he said.

The huge gathering at the rally was not seen for a long time in Bhawanipatna. The gathering at the BJD’s rally held only a few days ago at the same town was not impressive in comparison. Addressing the rally, Pyarimohan said if the Morcha will be forced to go to elections and wins, it will solve the problems of KBK (undivided Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput districts) region. Stating that the aim of the OJM now is to establish internal democracy in the BJD, the Rajya Sabha member criticised Naveen for non-performance.

Pyarimohan said he is the architect of all good works of the BJD like introduction of rice at Rs 2 per kg and Biju KBK yojana. “It was my advice to sever ties with BJP in the 2009 elections as a result of which BJD derived electoral gains.” All pro-people policies of the Government were announced after a lot of prodding. “Instead of being obliged to me, he (Naveen) was envious of my good work and popularity,” he charged.

The Morcha chief said he worked hard and shouldered all responsibility like Nilakantha for the popularity of Naveen. “The Chief Minister was busy showing orchids in his gardens and gossiping,” he said. Pyarimohan was critical that corruption has ‘increased at the grassroots level by 30 per cent and that Naveen was not taking steps to implement the election manifesto. Pyarimohan demanded that the supporting price of paddy be increased by Rs 300 per quintal and Rs 200 given as bonus by the State Government.