State leaders of national parties ‘voiceless’ in Odisha: Naveen

Bhubaneswar:  National parties are remote controlled by the Centre but their state leaders are ‘voiceless’ in Odisha. Only a regional party can fight for the interest of the state, stressed BJD Supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing youth at the first executive body meeting of Biju Yuva Janata Dal Committee here today.

Playing a masterstroke, the CM said, “We don’t have any bosses in Delhi. Our bosses are the four and half crore people of Odisha,”

“Congress Government in the state were remote controlled from Delhi. BJP Government in other states also follow the direction of the national leadership. National parties are bound to compromise on the distinctive requirements of a state for gains in the larger national context. State leaders of national parties neither have the voice to insist on protecting our unique heritage nor do they have the intent to do so in a hierarchical centralised national party structure. BJD is the only regional party that is working hard to preserve and promote the unique identity of Odisha,” Patnaik affirmed.

The primary objective of national parties is to win elections and have power to form Government at the Centre. And the state leadership of a national party basically impress the national leadership to get crucial posts or become ministers.

Cornering the Centre over various issues, the state Government has been urging the Centre for ‘Special State’ status for Odisha as the state faces natural disasters every year, but to no avail. Both BJP and Congress had promised to accord special category status to Odisha in their poll manifestos, but conveniently forget it after elections.

“We have also been fighting for the water of Mahanadi, Odissi music to be declared as classical and inclusion of Kosali and Ho languages in the 8th Schedule,” he added.

Speaking about the uniqueness of Odisha, Patnaik said, “It was the first linguistic state to be formed in the country. The art culture and heritage of Odisha is unparalleled. Our Odissi is exquisite. Jagannath Maha Prabhu is our bedrock. Mahanadi is our lifeline. Our mineral wealth is bountiful and unmatched. The diversity and richness of tribal culture is our strength.”

For us, our language Odia is more important than Hindi. Mahanadi is more sacred than any other river, Odissi music is a classical art form, Kosali and Ho are mainstream languages, the rich diversity of our tribal population is our pride and Sambalpuri handloom is world-class. All these do not matter to a national party or their branches in states.

“We are not a drop in the ocean, We are the ocean,” contended.

In his message to all youth of the state, the CM said, “Remember my words!  Only a regional party will do justice for aspirations of the youth and preserve the state’s unique identity. Otherwise, the mainstreaming national parties will make you a small drop in their vast ocean.”