Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha Battle: As BJD Noses Ahead, BJP Banks on Modi Magic, 'Split Vote' Phenomenon in Bid to Retain Seat – News18

Mayurbhanj is one of the 21 parliamentary constituencies in Odisha. It comprises the following assembly segments: Jashipur (BJP), Saraskana (BJP), Rairangpur (BJP), Bangriposi (BJD), Udala (BJP), Baripada (BJP), and Morada (BJD).

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Bishweswar Tudu is the incumbent MP here, though the ticket this time has gone to Naba Charan Majhi, with Biju Janata Dal’s Sudam Marndi, and Anjani Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha the other top contenders.

Polling will take place in Mayurbhanj on June 1 in the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections, with the votes to be counted on June 4.

Political dynamics

BJD Has Slight Edge: In 2019, the BJP wrested the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat from the BJD by a margin of over 25,000 votes. Now, the Biju Janata Dal is determined to win the seat back, and over the past few years, has been working to regain lost ground across the constituency. Its candidate for Mayurbhanj this time is Sudam Marndi, who is the minister of revenue and disaster management in chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet.

In 2019, not only did the BJP bag the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat, but it also registered wins in five of the seven assembly segments falling under the parliamentary constituency. This altered the political dynamics of this constituency, forcing Naveen Patnaik to depute BJD organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, who was made the observer for Mayurbhanj. As a result of his efforts, in the 2022 panchayat elections, the BJD won a majority of the zila parishad seats in the district. It is based on those results that the party thinks it has a real chance of defeating the BJP here this time.

In terms of candidate selection, the BJD seems to have made the right choice by fielding Sudam Marndi from Mayurbhanj. The BJD also appears to be ahead of the BJP in assembly segments like Bangriposi, Baripada, and Morada. This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in Baripada, in an attempt to overturn the BJD’s lead here.

The BJD’s campaign, ground inputs suggest, has been more visible than that of the BJP. The contest itself remains very close to call, but the BJD does appear to have a slight edge. In its campaign events, the BJD has highlighted the constituency’s improved road connectivity and the establishment of a medical college and hospital. It has also reminded voters of its efforts to develop the birthplace of tribal scholar Raghunath Murmu at a cost of Rs 13 crore.

However, there is an interesting anecdote one picks up from the ground. Odisha is infamous for its split votes. It is difficult to gauge the mood of the public in terms of this split vote and who they will prefer in state and national elections. It is entirely possible, ground inputs suggest, that the BJD’s lead may be limited to state assembly segments, even as the BJP clinches the Lok Sabha seat.

Sudam Marndi, unlike the BJP contender, is not very reliant on a bigger leader to make his case before the public. He is an old political warhorse who knows the ins and outs of the constituency and also has solid support bases across pockets, which could, in a tight contest, play a decisive role for him.

Marndi also enjoys influence among a considerable number of JMM supporters who are slowly beginning to realise that the Jharkhand-based party is going down the road of irrelevance in Odisha. As such, there is no perceptible enthusiasm among tribals to vote for the JMM here. Interestingly, Sudam Marndi was once at the helm of the JMM in Odisha, but ever since his exit, the party has been in decline across the state. The BJD hopes that the addition of JMM votes to Marndi’s kitty will help it close the gap with the BJP.

BJP Bets on Modi Magic: The BJP has dropped its incumbent MP, Bishweswar Tudu, and fielded Naba Charan Majhi instead. It is being said that Majhi is among President Droupadi Murmu’s loyalists, which is why he has been given the ticket. Currently the MLA of Rairangpur, Majhi faces a tough contest in Mayurbhanj.

The BJP top brass’s choice of candidate left the state and local units here in Odisha stunned. The nomination of Majhi from the tribal-dominated parliamentary constituency came at a time when the state unit of the BJP was seriously contemplating dropping him for his non-performance and lack of contact with his constituents during the past five years.

There is also a degree of disappointment with the Modi government, with locals here alleging that most of the development work has been done in Rairangpur alone, which is the assembly segment Majhi is an MLA from. While the BJP is relying on the Droupadi Murmu factor as well, the sentiment of biased and preferential development here may hurt the saffron party’s prospects.

Majhi is also a controversial figure owing to his support for the division of Mayurbhanj district. This continues to hurt his image among several voters of the constituency, making the fight difficult for him.

Thankfully for Majhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as a mass leader across Mayurbhanj. There is a wave in his favour, and Majhi hopes to ride it to victory. In many ways, PM Modi’s campaign here on May 29 will be a deciding factor as to who ultimately emerges on top.

The BJP’s campaign has been found to be lacking when compared to the intensity with which the BJD is approaching the public. There appears to be a sense of complacency that has set in among the BJP’s cadres and local leaders, who are assuming that a victory like 2019 can be replicated this time too, riding solely on the “Modi wave”. The saffron party would have been in a much more comfortable position had its local cadre and organisation been galvanised properly.

Key issues in Mayurbhanj

Unemployment: There is an acute lack of employment and livelihood opportunities in Mayurbhanj. The problem has been raised by President Droupadi Murmu herself who is a native of the district. Several educated youths are also unemployed, causing a grim situation in the constituency economically. Several young people from the villages have migrated to other states in search of employment.

Farmers’ Woes: The problem of unemployment is also linked to the poor condition of farmers, who lack the basic amenities to engage in agriculture. Poor irrigation facilities are a major problem owing to which many youths are unable to make a decent income out of farming. The farmers of Mayurbhanj, particularly in the village of Uperbeda, are heavily dependent on rainwater for their agricultural activities. This reliance limits their ability to work year-round, affecting their employment and livelihoods. Locals highlight the need for improved irrigation facilities, such as a lift irrigation system, to reduce this dependency on rainfall and provide more consistent agricultural opportunities.

Broken Bridge: The broken Budhabalanga bridge in Odisha is causing significant problems for the local population in Baripada in the Mayurbhanj district. This bridge, which is crucial for connectivity, has deteriorated to a point where it poses a serious threat to commuters. The damage to the bridge disrupts transportation and creates safety hazards for those who need to cross it daily. The poor condition of the bridge hinders the movement of people and goods, impacting the daily lives and economic activities of the residents in the area. The community is in urgent need of repairs or a new bridge to ensure safe and reliable access. The Public Works Department (PWD) has taken a lackadaisical approach to addressing the issue. Despite acknowledging the damage and the threat it poses to commuters, there has been little progress in repairing or reconstructing the bridge. This slow and ineffective response has left the local population facing ongoing transportation disruptions and safety hazards. The community remains in urgent need of decisive action to ensure safe and reliable access across the bridge.

Education: In the Uperbeda village, there is no college to cater to the aspirations of the youth who seek higher education and are forced to travel away to access it. Public-run schools and colleges need upgradation in the entire constituency.

Water Crisis: The tribal people of Mayurbhanj, particularly the Hill Kharias, face a severe water crisis. They rely on contaminated water from handmade wells, leading to health issues such as waterborne diseases. Women play a critical role, spending hours collecting water from diminishing and muddy sources. Poor drinking water quality has caused health issues among the populace. The state’s occasional water tanker supply is insufficient, and defunct tube wells remain unrepaired. Politically, the government’s inadequate response exacerbates the crisis, leaving the community struggling for clean water and better health conditions.

Tribals’ Woes: In numerous tribal-dominated regions of Mayurbhanj, there is a lack of roads, safe drinking water facilities, permanent housing, and reliable power supply. There are 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in the state. These PVTGs face significant hardships all year round, from poor housing to water shortage and natural disasters including cyclones which worsen their plight. In several parts of Mayurbhanj, people live in “katcha” houses and often find their roofs blown off by strong winds, and destroyed by heavy rains. In the absence of sufficient employment opportunities, there is significant pressure on families including womenfolk who struggle to nurture their young in such conditions.

Poor Drainage System: Mayurbhanj district in Odisha faces a significant problem with neglected roads turning into drains filled with stagnant water and sewage. The stagnant water emits foul odour and poses health hazards for residents and commuters. Accumulation of water damages the road surface and creates breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes. The issues stem from poor urban planning, infrastructure development, and civic administration in the region. Urgent action is needed from local authorities to address these issues, including implementing proper drainage systems, regular maintenance of roads, and effective waste management initiatives.

Lack of Proper Roads in Villages: There is a persistent problem of poor or lacking motorable roads in Mayurbhanj. The issue casts a shadow over the lives of residents, profoundly impacting their daily routines, economic opportunities, and overall well-being. Villagers face long journeys just to access essential services like healthcare and education, as the absence of proper roads makes transportation a daunting challenge. Farmers grapple with the difficulty of transporting their produce to markets, hampering their economic prospects and perpetuating cycles of poverty. There is a sense of social isolation as communities struggle to connect with neighbouring villages or towns, hindering cultural exchange and community development. Moreover, children’s education is affected with many forced to contend with long and treacherous journeys to reach schools, ultimately impeding their academic progress and future prospects. In times of crisis, such as medical emergencies or natural disasters, the lack of motorable roads compounds the plight of villagers, depriving them of timely access to medical aid.

Demographics

• Total Voters: 14,89,588
• SC: 7.3%
• ST: 58.7%
• Hindu: 96.5%
• Muslim: 2.8%

Infrastructure development

Railway Infrastructure: These include new lines and electrification, as well as improvements to passenger amenities. The 90-km gauge conversion from Rupsa to Bangriposi at a cost of Rs183.980 crore is a notable project. Additionally, there have been improvements to passenger amenities at Baripada station, including the provision of interlocking precast CC blocks and LED tube lights. Other developments include the construction of a limited-height subway at a cost of Rs 0.950 crore and the provision of four hand pumps at a cost of Rs 0.030 crore.

Amrit Bharat: Baripada station has been selected by the Centre as part of its Amrit Bharat station scheme. It will lead to an overall modernisation of the passenger facilities at the station and help transform it into a logistical hub.

Railway Link between Bangriposhi and Gorumohisani: A 42-km railway link is to be established between Bangriposhi and Gorumohisani. The project was approved by the railway ministry in 2023.

Baripada Heritage Rail Museum: The museum has been set up on a 54,000 square feet area near Baripada railway station at a cost of Rs 1.55 crore. It was inaugurated in 2021.

Mega Piped Water Supply Schemes: Piped water supply schemes have been brought about at a cost of Rs 1,771 crore in the Kaptipada, Thakurmunda, Karanjia, Jashipur, Raruan, Sukruli, Kusumi, Udala, Khunta, and Baripada Blocks. The projects have been started in phases since November 2023.

Mega Lift Irrigation Projects: Being constructed at a cost of Rs 214 crore, these will irrigate 17,500 acres in Jashipur block in Mayurbhanj district.

(With Priyabrata Babu)

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