International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666; Vol.4, Issue-5(1), May, 2017 Impact Factor: 4.535; Email: [email protected] Sub Regionalism Politics in Odisha and Demand for Koshal State Dr. Dasarathi Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor, P.G. Department of Political Science, Berhampur University, Odisha Abstract: This paper examines the rise of regionalism in Odisha. As a state, Odisha is one of the most backward regions in India. The process of development becomes extremely significant in the context of intra-regional disparities. Against this backdrop, regionalism continues to thrive in western Odisha due to regional cleavages and prevalence of socio-economic disparities and political inequalities. Key words: historical experience, cultural practices, dialectal/speech forms I. Introduction regional polarisation of politics was very much reflected in the elections to the The present state of Odisha Odisha Legislative Assembly. As contains three geographically distinct discussed above during the 1950’s the regional units, namely, coastal belt, regional political parties, namely, the southern and western region, which Ganatantra Parishad (GP) and later the differ in respect of historical experience, Swatantra party polarised politics in cultural practices, dialectal/speech forms, Odisha along regional lines. The political advantages and socio-economic Congress was seen as a party largely development. After the reorganisation of identified with the interests of coastal districts in Odisha in 1993 the coastal Odisha, and the GP/Swatantra was region comprises the new districts of associated with the interests of western Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Jajpur, Odisha. From 1952 to 1974, the Congress Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and its splinter groups Jana Congress Khordha, Nayagarh, the south Odisha and Utkal Congress secured maximum comprises of Ganjam, Gaiapati, seats from coastal districts, while Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagarda, GP/Swatantra scored very well in the Nawarangapur, Malkangiri; whereas the western region (Ray 1974). But during western region covers the new districts of J.B. Patnaik’s rule in the 1980s, the Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Nuapara, Congress leaders from coastal area Boudh, Kandhamal, Sambalpur, Bargarh, dominated government and politics in Jharsuguda, Deogarh and Sundargarh. Odisha, while the leaders from the Gradually, regional discontents grew in western region were completely sidelined. the western region as it continued to lag Congress favouritism towards coastal behind the coastal belt in matters of Odisha resulted in regional factionalism socio-economic, political and cultural within the party. During the BJD development. government of Naveen Patnaik from200 II. Political cleavage: to 2019 the western Odisha was identified with BJP and Congress. It is another vital factor that facilitates regional difference between the In terms of representation in coastal and western regions. This government and in decision-making International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666; Vol.4, Issue-5(1), May, 2017 Impact Factor: 4.535; Email: [email protected] bodies, the western region always lags political consciousness dawned on them behind the coastal area. The post of Chief and they could realize their helpless Minister of Odisha has mostly been position under the feudal lords. (Sunit monopolised by coastal Oriya leaders. Ghosh, p, 59) Only two persons from the western The congress leaders of the time, region, namely, R. N. Singh Deo and Mahatab in particular, had been pleading Hemananda Biswal, held the post of for the merger of the 26 Native States Chief Minister for a brief period. Again, with the British Odisha in the common the western region has been poorly interest of the people of both the areas. represented in the state’s Council of He was appointed the chairperson of the Ministers except for the brief coalition committee, which All India State Peoples’ periods in 1959, 1967 and 1971. conference had set up to go into the Moreover, in the state bureaucracy, grievances of the people of the Odisha judiciary and police the share of western states. Before this, taking advantage of region remains comparatively low. the new situation a section of Odisha The origins of regional discontent rulers under the leadership of Rajendra in the western region date back to the Narayan Singhdeo, the late Maharaja of agitation against the displacement of Balangir-Patnagarh, in company with the people and the loss of land and property British political Agent was trying to form due to the construction of Hirakud Dam a political unit of Odisha and Chatisgarh and Rourkela Steel Plant and the rise of states within the Indian Union. The the regional political party, the Maharaja of Patna had propounded a Ganatantra Parishad (GP), also theory that the Odisha states and the significantly contributed to the origins of present district of Sambalpur were not regional discontent in western Odisha. In parts of Odisha but they at one time the western region, people were leaving formed the so-called Koshala territory. in an abominable condition. Most of the According to his plan, as soon as the princely states were outside the pale of Eastern States Federation would be able modern civilization. High schools were to stand on its feet, Sambalpur and Angul non-existent. Outside newspapers were would join the Federation. In order to not allowed. Khadi and Gandhi were have it done it was found necessary to banned and everything was done to see work up the feeling of separation in that the “subjects’ did not establish Sambalpur. At that time i.e. in 1946 contact with Gandhites in the British preliminary survey work of the Mahanadi Odisha. The rulers were regarded as the (HIRAKUD) valley project was going on ‘moving incarnation of Lord Vishnu’ who in Sambalpur. The project necessitated must be worshiped by the people acquisition of more than one hundred whenever he would come out of his villages. Land acquisition on such a scale palace. Some of the rulers were notorious necessarily created resentment amongst for their savagery. There were, however, the people whose lands were being a few enlightened ones- just exceptions acquired. But this was made an issue for proving the rule. But the people in the separation of Sambalpur from Odisha. native states expectedly did not remain Hare Krushna Mahatab, who was then unaffected by the goings on in the the prime minister of Odisha, wrote to neighbouring British Odisha. Gradually, the governor of Odisha, C.M .Trivedi on International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666; Vol.4, Issue-5(1), May, 2017 Impact Factor: 4.535; Email: [email protected] October12, 1946, “I am getting Science,October- information that the Maharaja of Patna December,1965,p,89) is organizing and directly conducting the After the merger of princely agitation against the Hirakud project at states, the rulers lost all their powers, Sambalpur .His ultimate aim is to retained some personal privileges, and amalgamate Sambalpur in his Patna received pensions. Obviously, the merger state. He is dreaming of the old days of did not set at rest all the problems. Patna of the 16th century”. What the Divested of power, the princes were Maharaja of Patana was dreaming was naturally sore about the Congress rulers anybody’s guess. But there were of the province. So also was a sizable and evidences that he was not in favour of vocal section of people in the states who merger of the Odisha states in the British joined hands with the princes to new Odisha and he was actively consolidating outlets for their political existence. They the princes to withstand the pressure resented the posting of officers in the from the Congress rulers in the states from outside and regarded the provinces. Actually, the Mahatab-Singh merger as a kind of ‘military occupation’. Deo rivalry, which lasted particularly The economic situation in the western until 1967, can be traced to those days of region also deteriorated immediately merger and anti-merger agitation in the after the merger. For example, up to late forties. Singh Deo had brought out a December 12, 1947 rice was selling at newspaper; called ‘Patna Dipika’, which eight seers (a measure of amount) a was mouthpiece of the campaign for the rupee in Balangir. On the next day, it was separation of Sambalpur from the rest of two seers a rupee because of the Odisha. imposition of control prices then in vogue The deputy Prime minister of throughout Odisha. In some states, India and Home minister of India Sardar medical facilities were free. However, Ballav Bhai patel, visited Odisha and after the merger this facility was persuaded the rulers of the Native to sign withdrawn. In Balangir there was a good Instruments of Accession to the Indian x-ray equipment of the siemens company Union. Twenty-five states including .one of the only three in India, got during Saraikela and Kharswan, signed the the Jubilee celebrations and that was left Instrument of accession on 14 December uncared for. Other equipments were 1947, and merged with Odisha on taken away. The provincial January 1, 1948. Only Mayurbhanja administration did not care for the stood aloof, but that state also merged people. The bureaucrats deputed from with Odisha on January 1, 1949. Cuttack, then capital of Odisha, behaved Saraikela and Kharaswan were like alien conquerors. All this wounded transferred to Bihar in May 1948, where the feelings of the intelligentsia. they remained ever since. The leaders of Previously, they had direct approach to the Praja Mandals of the Native States the Raja and could get their remedy. But who were counterparts of the Congress the remedy was now too far away. swelled Congress strength by joining it. Bribery and corruption became rampant (S.C.Das,Government and Politics in and conspicuous. The educated people Odisha, Indian Journal of Political felt the need of a party. They approached Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo, and International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666; Vol.4, Issue-5(1), May, 2017 Impact Factor: 4.535; Email: [email protected] wanted him to start a party since he had made certain complaints against plenty of administrative and political Mahatab.