Mahanadi takes Centrestage, Polavaram ignored

The Tribal Odisha has been at the receiving end always, does not matter which party remains in power. Whether it’s BJD, Congress or BJP, they hardly bother about the plight of common people in tribal belt although they do shed tears whenever they get an opportunity to get political mileage or fix their opponents. So, it’s no surprise that Polavaram remains a non-issue for them. It does not matter to them even if hundreds of villages would be sub-merged when the dam is completed.

All political parties are more interested in Mahanadi, as it covers both Coastal and Western Odisha, where all three political parties have a stake. Mahanadi issue will fetch them votes and help in outwitting each other. But, who bothers about the poor tribals of Motu? Let them drown or rush to other areas as refugees. Nobody would be interested, as mainstream media would be busy covering Mahanadi. The tribals would be forgotten or left to fend for themselves.

While the ruling BJD slept over the issue for years, the Congress-led UPA declared Polavaram as National Project. Adding insult to injury, NDA Government declared full support and 100% funding to the project. Both, Congress and BJP sought to appease Andhra Pradesh. But, Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, who had once opposed Polavaram, saying it would harm Odisha’s interests, have maintained a stoic silence today. Will they rise above political considerations?