Bhakta Charan Das and the Athakathi Model: A Strategic Move for Congress in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In the shifting political environment of Odisha, Bhakta Charan Das has assumed leadership of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) with an unconventional approach aimed at revitalizing the Congress party’s presence. His tactics, referred to as the “Athakathi model,” draw parallel with rural trapping techniques, indicating a strategic maneuver to position Congress amid the competition with the ruling BJP and the formerly dominant Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

The Athakathi Concept: A Tactical Allegory

The term “Athakathi” traditionally describes a sticky instrument used for capturing birds or small animals, which serves as a metaphor for Das’s political strategy. By proposing a no-confidence motion against the BJP government under Mohan Majhi focusing on women’s safety, Das aims to ensnare his political opponents, pushing them to disclose their priorities and weaknesses.

Congress’s Calculated Strategy: Public Perception Over Numbers

Currently, Congress holds 14 seats in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, adequate for filing a no-confidence motion but significantly below the 74 votes needed for a favorable outcome. This decision appears to be more about optics than actual parliamentary victory. The Congress is striving to assert itself as a champion of women’s safety amid criticisms faced by both the BJP and BJD.

• If the BJD declines to support the motion, Congress could depict it as complicit in BJP’s shortcomings regarding gender safety.
• Conversely, if the motion is permitted for discussion, Congress gains the opportunity to raise significant concerns regarding women’s safety, potentially enhancing its public image.

A Dual Approach Targeting the BJD

While Das’s strategy ostensibly challenges both BJP and BJD, the immediate focus appears to be the BJD. By compelling the BJD to either align with the BJP or engage with Congress’s motion, Das seeks to redefine the opposition landscape in Odisha. The BJD’s hesitance to take a definitive stance leaves it exposed to attacks from both political fronts.

BJP’s Counter-Strategy: Deflecting Blame

The BJP is not standing idle in this political clash. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has indicated that, if the debate ensues, the BJP will highlight the Congress’s controversial historical response to issues of women’s safety, referencing incidents like the Chhabirani case from the 1980s and the Anjana Mishra case from the 1990s. This approach aims to undermine Congress’s credibility as it attempts to position itself as a moral leader on women’s issues.

Internal Challenges for Congress: The Udit Pradhan Incident

The timing of Das’s initiatives is particularly critical as Congress faces internal scrutiny following the arrest of Udit Pradhan, a leader within its student wing, on charges of rape. This development could undermine Congress’s arguments concerning women’s rights, forcing the party to carefully navigate its public stance while contending with internal contradictions.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Athakathi Strategy

Veteran political analyst Sriram Dash observes that while the Athakathi model is emblematic of strategic cleverness found in Indian politics, its success hinges on unfolding political events as the next Assembly session approaches in September. Das’s push for a no-confidence motion has already shifted local political discourse, providing Congress with a renewed narrative and rekindling public focus on a party that has been overshadowed in recent years.