Without a fundamental shift in mindset among leaders and administrators, genuine development for the common people will remain elusive, warned senior politician and former Finance Minister Dr Prafulla Chandra Ghadai.
Speaking as the chief guest at a special lecture organised by Pragativadi Odia Daily as part of the 54th Foundation Day celebrations, Ghadai delivered a candid assessment of Odisha’s political journey under the theme “Odisha Politics – Past, Present and Future.”
The veteran leader painted a stark picture of declining ethical standards in politics, where public service has increasingly taken a backseat to personal wealth accumulation. “Politics is failing where people’s upliftment is missing,” Ghadai asserted. “If the mindset of both governance and administration does not change, the poor and marginalised cannot progress.”
From Idealism to Commercialisation
Ghadai, who has spent over five decades in public life, shared vivid memories of his entry into politics. In 1967, he was elected as the youngest member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Jajpur on a Jana Congress ticket under the leadership of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab. At the time, he was still studying law and had never imagined becoming an MLA, Minister, or MP.
“Candidates were chosen after consulting the people. Today, tickets are bought with money. How can we expect good leaders to emerge?” he asked pointedly.
He recalled contesting his first election with just Rs 12,000 and winning. In sharp contrast, today’s candidates spend crores even for Assembly seats. The veteran leader lamented the entry of businessmen and contractors into politics purely for profit, replacing freedom fighters, intellectuals, and writers who once dominated the field.
Praise for Stability, Concern for the Poor
Ghadai acknowledged the progress made under Naveen Patnaik’s long, 24-year stable government. The state’s budget has surged from Rs 13,000 crore in 2000 to over Rs 3.10 lakh crore today, with significant investments flowing in. However, he raised a crucial question: Has this growth truly reached the grassroots?
“Even today, 3.28 crore people depend on free ration under the food security scheme and free healthcare. So, how has poverty actually been eradicated?” he asked.
He stressed the need for a stronger public sector to generate employment for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, alongside focus on agriculture, tourism, and textile industries rather than relying solely on extractive mining.
“Mineral resources like iron ore, coal, bauxite, and chromite will deplete one day. We must prioritise land consolidation for agriculture and protect Adivasi rights over land, water, and forests,” Ghadai said, extending support to tribal movements like the one in Keonjhar.
Call for Ethical Politics
The former minister, who served 35 years as MLA and 18 years as Minister, emphasised that politics should mean working for the state’s interest, not just winning elections or becoming a minister.
“Ethics in politics is eroding day by day. Good people must enter politics, otherwise the development of the state and country is impossible,” he declared.
Earlier, former MLA and Left leader N. Narayan Reddy, who presided over the event, echoed similar concerns. “Politics has become all about money. A sarpanch spends Rs 15 lakh, while candidates for Assembly or Parliament spend Rs 30 crore. Expecting public service from them is futile,” he said.
Reddy also paid rich tributes to Pragativadi’s founder, Pradyumna Bal, recalling his commitment to the oppressed and his emphasis on ethical politics.
Pragativadi’s Executive Editor Birupakshya Tripathy delivered the welcome address, while News Director Lalit Pattajoshi and News Head Santosh Kumar Das also spoke on the occasion.
The event served as a timely reminder that while Odisha has witnessed economic growth and political stability, the soul of politics — ethical leadership and inclusive development — still needs urgent revival.
