BJP's Strategic Move in Odisha Politics: Targeting Pandian's Wife to Impact BJD's Vote Bank

In the intricate landscape of Odisha politics, a recent development has ignited a fierce debate between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The Election Commission’s decision to transfer senior bureaucrat Sujata R Karthikeyan, wife of bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader V K Pandian, from Mission Shakti, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the alleged misuse of women self-help groups (SHGs) for political gains.

BJP sources said that by lodging the complaint with the EC against Karthikeyan, the party wanted to send a message to the electorate about the alleged “misuse of the state’s women self-help groups (SHGs) by the BJD for political gains”.

The BJP’s complaint to the Election Commission, alleging Karthikeyan’s involvement in public-facing activities during the elections as a “BJD agent,” underscores a strategic attempt to dent the BJD’s stronghold over its rural women vote bank. Mission Shakti, initiated by the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, has empowered over six lakh SHGs comprising approximately 70 lakh women across Odisha. These SHGs play a pivotal role in the socio-economic fabric of the state, with the Patnaik government ensuring bank loans and livelihood opportunities for their members.

By targeting Pandian’s wife, who was heading the Mission Shakti department, the BJP aims to disrupt the BJD’s grip on rural women voters, a core support base crucial for the party’s electoral victories since 2000. The transfer of Karthikeyan, considered one of the government’s “most trusted” bureaucrats, to the finance department has intensified the political slugfest between the BJD and the BJP, setting the stage for a contentious electoral battle.

BJP insiders reveal plans to penetrate the SHG network, deeply rooted in every village, to sway support away from the BJD. Allegations of instructions issued to SHG functionaries to mobilize votes for BJD candidates have further fueled the controversy. Unofficial communication channels, including WhatsApp and Telegram groups, have reportedly been used to disseminate instructions, raising concerns about the politicization of SHGs.

In response, the BJD has staunchly defended Karthikeyan, labeling the BJP’s actions as politically motivated. The party highlights the instrumental role of Mission Shakti in empowering rural women and accuses the BJP of attempting to sabotage the program for electoral gains.

As Odisha braces for simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the transfer of Karthikeyan and the ensuing political turmoil underscore the high-stakes nature of the electoral battleground. With both parties vying for supremacy, the fate of Odisha’s political landscape hangs in the balance, awaiting the verdict of its electorate.

Stay tuned as the drama unfolds, shaping the future trajectory of Odisha’s political landscape and the dynamics of power in the state.