Bhubaneswar, Sept. 9: For years, women and farmers have been considered the strongest vote banks of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), serving as the cornerstone of the party’s electoral success. Under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, the BJD managed to solidify this support base, leveraging their emotions and creating a formidable voting bloc. These two groups helped the BJD stay in power for over 24 years, with women and farmers being at the forefront of the party's strategies.

However, winning hearts should not just be about political expediency. It's about empowering people socially and economically, not through empty promises or electoral incentives, but with sustainable programmes that truly uplift their lives.

As history has shown, a foundation built on false assurances will inevitably collapse under its own weight, no matter how strong it may initially appear. This seems to be the predicament now facing the BJD, with Naveen Patnaik’s ambition to become the longest-serving Chief Minister of India falling short.

Women Empowerment Under BJD: A Mixed Legacy

It’s undeniable that women’s social and economic empowerment saw significant progress during Naveen Patnaik’s rule. Several initiatives were launched to support women, particularly through self-help groups (SHGs), which provided them with opportunities to develop skills, start businesses, and receive interest-free loans. Some women indeed thrived, becoming entrepreneurs and role models for others.

But not everything worked as planned. In many places, women became involved in usury rather than entrepreneurship, and some even engaged in unwarranted activities. When all these deviations continued to happen and the mission was derailed, neither Patnaik nor any of his party leaders took effective measures to rectify the situation. Women, who should have been the flagbearers of BJD's success, found themselves in precarious circumstances, disillusioned with the promises of empowerment.

Worse still, women’s empowerment programs were often misused for political purposes. Women were mobilized as political workers, attending party meetings and events as showpieces of BJD's success. This exploitation caused considerable harm to their dignity and independence, drawing criticism from many quarters. Voices raised in opposition to this misuse were stifled, and dissenters were harassed.

Farmers’ Struggles and BJD's Response

Turning to farmers, another key BJD vote bank, the situation is equally troubling. In the 2000 election campaign, the BJD-BJP alliance had promised to provide 35% irrigation coverage to all 314 blocks in the state. That promise was repeated in subsequent elections, but even after nearly two decades, this target was not achieved.

Farmers have struggled for fair prices for their produce, often selling at a loss. Their hardships worsened as the government failed to provide adequate cold storage and other infrastructure necessary for agricultural success. As a result, much of Odisha’s grain ended up in Chhattisgarh, leaving local farmers at a severe disadvantage.

In 2019, the BJD introduced Kalia Yojana in the pretext of providing financial assistance to farmers for seeds, fertilizers, and other farming necessities. Although it was praised initially, many critics saw it as an electoral gimmick rather than a sincere effort to address farmers' problems.

Mohan Majhi’s CM-Kishan Yojana: A Turning Point?

Mohan Majhi’s government’s CM-Kishan Yojana was introduced on Sunday apparently to counter the shortcomings of the Kalia Yojana. Under this scheme, Rs 925 crore has already been deposited into the accounts of nearly 46 lakh farmers and landless families. Unlike its predecessors, the CM-Kishan Yojana seems more focused on providing genuine assistance rather than serving as a political stunt.

The success of this initiative could shift the political landscape in Odisha. If the current government under Majhi continues to address the real needs of farmers and correct the flawed policies of the past, it stands to gain the loyalty of a large section of the farming community.

The Road Ahead for BJD

BJD’s strongest vote banks—women and farmers—are now potentially slipping away. If Majhi’s CM-Kishan Yojana and the Subhadra scheme manage to win over these two groups, the BJD could face significant challenges in future elections.

Currently, an estimated 70 lakh women and 65 lakh farmers, once considered reliable BJD supporters, may shift their allegiance to the BJP. The political dynamics in Odisha are changing, and it remains to be seen how the BJD will respond to these new challenges.

The upcoming rural and urban elections could be a true test for the BJD, as the party grapples with regaining the trust of its most crucial voter segments.

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