Bhubaneswar: Almost 26 months (more than two years) have passed since the new BJP government came to power in Odisha. Ministers and MLAs are enjoying power to the fullest, but most of the 'cadre' and second line leaders with the help of which the party reached power, have not been rewarded with any post or responsibility till now. The frontline workers who are hoping for the post of president in various corporations and boards are getting only assurances, due to which dissatisfaction has started growing within them.
The dissatisfaction growing within the grassroots leaders of the party, who played a major role in winning the elections, is now slowly coming to the fore. The enthusiasm that was seen earlier among the workers to strengthen the party now seems to be fading. This is having a direct impact on the image of the government, where the government is being criticized on small matters and senior leaders are forced to remain silent.
The central in-charge and the state president had from time to time claimed in front of the media that appointments would be made soon, but even after a long time, the situation remains the same. Due to this the loyal workers of the party are becoming disillusioned.
Almost all the major corporations and boards of the state are currently running without a head. Last June, the state government had shown readiness to fill the vacant posts. In the letter issued by the Department of Public Enterprises, there was a clear instruction that all the appointments should be completed by June 30.
However, more than one and a half months have passed since this deadline, but the appointment process has not progressed even a single step.
Factionalism or administrative laxity?
Now questions are being raised in political circles that why is the government hesitating in appointing the president?
Is the ongoing infighting and factionalism within the party the main reason behind this?
Or is the leadership proving incapable of balancing power?
If the government does not want to make political appointments, then why is it not taking the work forward by giving full charge to the administrative officers?
Ignoring the workers and running of the corporations without a chairman can create new challenges for both the state government and the organization in the times to come.