He could have etched his name in the annals of India’s electoral history as the country’s longest-serving CM if he had, yet again, won the polls in Odisha this time. But Naveen Patnaik — the man who is said to have been a reluctant politician who had no intention to join politics after his father Biju Patnaik ’s death 27 years ago — missed the milestone by a whisker.
Trumped by BJP after close to two-and-a-half decades at the helm, Naveen fell short of former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling ’s term of 24 years and 165 days. He could have gone past the post in Aug.
People did not endorse Naveen’s populist measures, like cash incentives for farmers, youth and women, besides the promise of free electricity for middle class. His governance model and work in health, education, and women empowerment fai led to boost party’s prospects.
Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, which the BJD projected as superior to and more inclusive than the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat, failed to make a mark. BJP had been criticising Naveen for not implementing the central scheme and “depriving” the people of Odisha of its benefits.
The Odisha upset also puts a question mark on the acceptability of VK Pandian, who was considered by many as Naveen’s successor. An entire generation in their 40s and below, who have only seen Naveen’s govt since they voted for the first time, will see a new brand of politics now.
Trumped by BJP after close to two-and-a-half decades at the helm, Naveen fell short of former Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling ’s term of 24 years and 165 days. He could have gone past the post in Aug.
People did not endorse Naveen’s populist measures, like cash incentives for farmers, youth and women, besides the promise of free electricity for middle class. His governance model and work in health, education, and women empowerment fai led to boost party’s prospects.
Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, which the BJD projected as superior to and more inclusive than the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat, failed to make a mark. BJP had been criticising Naveen for not implementing the central scheme and “depriving” the people of Odisha of its benefits.
The Odisha upset also puts a question mark on the acceptability of VK Pandian, who was considered by many as Naveen’s successor. An entire generation in their 40s and below, who have only seen Naveen’s govt since they voted for the first time, will see a new brand of politics now.
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