But one doesn't have to delve too deep to know the reasons. Patnaik's call to arms can be attributed directly to the hyperactivity in the Congress which has been galvanised following two successive visits by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi. The party, in fact, seems to be on an upswing since the Laxmipur bye-poll victory.
The sudden burst of activity in the main opposition party, which recently organised a "jail bharo" throughout the state, seems to have unnerved the Chief Minister who until now has been used to a supine and spineless Congress whose leaders would give him no reasons to lose his sleep. But Congress is now a changed party.
The trick has been done by two bye-poll victories – first in Talsara and then in Laxmipur, the latter more significant because of the circumstances under which it was achieved. Led by the Chief Minister almost the entire state cabinet was camping in Laxmipur but the ruling BJD still lost the battle.
The bye-poll victory has certainly boosted the confidence of the Congress which has also received a fillip following the successive visits of Rahul seen by many as the future Prime Minister of the country. The successive visits also show that Congress and specially the young Gandhi attach a lot of importance to Orissa.
The problem with the Congress in Orissa so far was that the lackluster leadership was not getting the right kind of support from the Central leadership. But the scenario has changed with Union Minister Ajay Maken taking charge of the state party and Rahul himself showing a lot of interest in state party affairs. This has made even lackluster party chief Jayadev Jena shrug off his lethargy and take up his job seriously.
This is a danger signal for the ruling BJD-BJP combine which has been banking on a somnolent Congress and a non-too-serious opposition to win elections.
However, at the moment not only the Congress is leading the opposition from the front but also smaller opposition outfits have begun asserting themselves. In fact, the Samajwadi Party being led by Kailash Mishra and Jatish Mohanty's Samruddha Orissa have made it amply clear through their activities that they treat themselves as serious contenders for power in Orissa.
These parties may not have much strength at the moment but given their pockets of influence they are quite capable of causing damage to the ruling combine in the elections.
Add to this picture a resurgent Nationalist Congress Party now led by charismatic Bijay Mohapatra and you can easily understand why Patnaik is getting the jitters. Mohapatra, widely perceived as Patnaik's enemy No 1, has taken it upon himself the task of bringing the smaller parties together either by forming a Third Front or through an understanding based on the considerations of real politik.
If that happens, this combine will directly target Patnaik and his outfit which has many chinks in its armour. With Congress playing the role of the main opposition party, the smaller outfits can cause havoc for the BJD and its ally in a large number of constituencies. That is what is giving Patnaik the shakes and explains his call to his cadres.
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