To consolidate its tribal vote base, the BJP has announced a massive gathering of indigenous people here in February.
The Adivasi Mahasamavesh will be held on February 2 and 3 and will be addressed by BJP president Amit Shah.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to attend the programme.
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More than 5,000 prominent tribal leaders and Ministers and MLAs belonging to the Scheduled Tribes from different parts of the country will take part in the Mahasamavesh, being organised by the ST Morcha of the BJP.
“Over one lakh tribals from all corners of Odisha will participate in a rally in Bhubaneswar on February 3. The tribals will send out a message on their rights that the Naveen Patnaik government has failed to protect,” Union Tribal Affairs Minister and BJP leader Jual Oram said at a press conference here on Sunday.
“The State government has issued records of rights, but land has not been handed over to the tribals. The six-month validity of caste certificates has become a big bother for tribals. Ideally, a caste certificate should be valid for lifetime,” Mr. Oram said. He said the State was not cooperating in direct transfer of stipend payments, leading to a huge backlog. “By forming a Special Development Council in nine tribal-dominated districts, the State government has curtailed the power of elected representatives,” he said.
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Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP national ST Morcha president Ramvichar Netam, former Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang and BJP Legislature Party leader K.V. Singhdeo attended a preparatory meeting, chaired by State ST Morcha president Rabi Naik.
‘Pre-election ploy’
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has questioned the timing of the meeting. “Mr. Oram has woken up from slumber after four years, and as the election is round the corner, he has started thinking about his tribal brethren,” BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said.
“What has your government done to implement the historic Forest Rights Act enacted by the UPA government in the past four years? Why have you brought down the minimum support price for minor forest produces? Why have you reduced the stipend allocation from ₹220 crore to ₹40 crore,” Mr. Deb questioned the Union Tribal Affairs Minister. The BJD accused the BJP of lacking sincerity in uplifting the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.