WHAT NEXT?

Bikash Choudhury



After sweeping the three tier panchayata election in the State, winning seventy five percent of Zila parisada seats and over eighty percent of Zilaparisad i.e., 26 out of 30 districts; Biju Janata Dal has eventually attained an unassailable lead in the body polity of the State in just over ten years from the formation of the party on the name and ideals of legendary Sri Biju Patnaik. Now, what next? Repeating the numbers in assembly election in 2014 election would be a cake walk for BJD; knowing the political mobilization at the grass roots; and, therefore, could not be a goal to look forward to. Recent victory is a huge opportunity and also could pose a threat if complacency sets in with the rank and file and economic surge does not match with political mobilization over a period of time. This should be a good time for Biju Janata Dal to reinvent itself once again as it is easier done at the peak of electoral achievement than the other way round. With three fourth of seat in State assembly; party should and must go for a faster economic transformation in the State and also look forward to greener pastures.
Economic transformation with reduction in income disparity among people and across the different regions must now be targeted with reasonable exception like KBK-which needs an altogether different treatment to catch up with the rest of the State in terms of development. With low per capita income of less than 500 USD; surplus budget may not be the right prescription according to famous economist John Maynard Keynes; however, blind deficit financing for a faster turn around of the State economy also may not bring desired result. What is needed is targeted Deficit Financing to invest in the drivers of the State Economy could make all the difference in medium to long term; but, before attempting one would recommend the State to bring substantial improvement in the efficiency of public expenditure and explore possibility of harvesting tax & non-tax revenue to the tune of 20-30% of collection by suitable methods.Once that is done, it is ideal to borrow and invest in the drivers of economy if need be; in Higher Education & Research, Agriculture sector (in the domain of value addition only), Agriculture supply chain, Tourism and Infrastructure sectors
Biju Janata Dal could replicate the successful formula in grass root political mobilization in neighboring states; apart from taking the initiative for an alternative to UPA & NDA; a third front, to fill an apparent leadership vacuum in National political scene. This will require empowerment of young Turks like Jay Panda, Kalikesh Singhdeo, Mahatab and Tatagata Satapathy; while making provisions for home coming for old Biju loyalist to increase the bench strength of senior and experience leaders who could independently craft coalition across the country under the BJD banner for an eventual push for Delhi durbar. With little imagination Biju Janata Dal could bring about an impact & epoch making changes in the State, in the country and in the World we live in by pursuing a political line “prosperous Odisha, Developed India and Peaceful World”.