Why Naveen decided Pratap Deb to Rajya Sabha

By Our Correspondent

Bhubaneswar, May 11: Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced name of his staunch loyalist and party spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb as party’s official nominee for Rajya Sabha polls? The announcement of Mr Deb’s name was on expected lines. A very few were surprised at this decision.

What objectives Naveen does want to achieve by sending Pratap to Rajya Sabha who was doing a fantastic job as party’s spokesperson in Odisha? To what extend Mr Deb would be able to meet the expectations of his boss?

Mr Deb, who is currently heading the Odisha State Housing Board as its chairman, is known for his political acumen and articulation. A former minister and three-time MLA from Aul constituency in the coastal Kendrapara district, the BJD leader has impeccable integrity. He is respected in the party forum as one of the most intelligent and smart spokespersons.

Ever since the chief minister Mr Patnaik faced numerous problems after coming to power in 2014 for the fourth consecutive term on issues like chit fund scam, mining scam and government’s alleged failure on several fronts, – Mr Deb who has strong command over English, Odia and Hindi, – has stood rock solid behind him and often bailed him out of troubles through his adept media handling.

Mr Deb’s nomination has put a spanner among a host of other aspirants, including some party veterans and retired bureaucrats, who were lobbying hard for the coveted post.

Sources in the BJD said Naveen chose Mr Deb fearing that selecting any other persons will create a volcanic situation in the party as it is currently experiencing widespread resentment among MLAs due to non-representation of at least 18 districts in the recently reshuffled council of ministers.

Secondly, the former lawmaker is the most non-controversial and unblemished face of the party, – others would not oppose it.

With most of the senior BJD MPs, including Bhartruhari Mahtab, are currently suspected by the party leadership as the ones who are getting closer to the BJP, – Naveen wants to keep a close tab on the party’s MPs in Delhi, besides cultivating the central BJP leaders who are planning to unseat the BJD from power in Odisha 2019 assembly polls.

Another objective behind choosing Pratap is to give a check to factional leaders in Kendrapara politics. Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, a strong  opponent of local MP Baijayant Panda, was not pulling on well with Pratap Deb also. As a result, the local BJD organization was divided into multi- camps. Baijayant has hailed Pratap’s nomination saying he is very “bright” and “smart.”

The lone Rajya Sabha seat was lying vacant following the resignation of party leader Bishnu Das in March this year.