Majhi Govt Keeps its Promises Despite Challenges

The challenge before it is to usher administrative reforms to make his government truly people friendly and fulfill a significant poll promise, says Nageshwar Patnaik.

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Promises Are Meant To Be Kept. Promises are like hearts, they aren't meant to be broken. The maiden Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, appears to have kept major poll promises as it completed one year in power on Wednesday (June 11).

BJP picked Majhi, a Santhali tribal from mineral rich Keonjhar district and a former school teacher with RSS background for the post of chief minister surprising everyone. A year later, Majhi has not disappointed by delivering some key poll promises made by his party while more needs to be done in fulfilling others. The ruling party has begun celebrating the first anniversary of its government in Odisha in a grand fashion which will be concluded on June 20 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other topnotch BJP leaders.

Modi will launch 'Odisha Vision Document 2036' on June 20, outlining transformative goals for a developed Odisha. The vision document includes key targets like empowering women and youth, improving healthcare and education, creating job opportunities, and preserving Odia Asmita (Odia Pride). The document, featuring 36 strategic proposals, aims to position the State on a transformative path toward becoming a $500 billion economy by 2036.

The BJP came to power by invoking the emotive issue of 'Odia Asmita' as part of its electoral strategy leading to the defeat of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had governed the state for over two decades under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik. Odia Asmita (pride and self-dignity) encompasses the rich and glorious heritage of Odisha. It is deeply rooted in the assimilative nature of the Odia classical language and the cultural diversity that manifests in the everyday lives of the people.