People and Politics in Odisha 1980 1995 Dynamics of Electoral PoliticsGovernmental Policies and Popular Protest

Abstract

newlineThe state of Odisha provides a vantage window to look at the politics of regionalism and identity politics in contemporary India. Odisha s society and its myriad cleavages offer nothing less than a treasure trove for anybody interested in the political articulation of social identities. This research work makes a serious attempt to explore the dynamics of electoral politics, governance and nature and forms of popular protest in contemporary Odisha during the 1980-1995 periods. During this period the state witnessed reasonable political stability and also host of policy measures which prepared Odisha to move into 21st century as a dynamic and developed state. Though such lofty ideals of inclusive development and all-round progress have remained largely unfulfilled in the present times, the serious beginnings of such an endeavour were made during the period under study. newline newlineThis research work aims at exploring the following themes: to map the trajectories of post-colonial politics of Odisha during the 1980s and 1995s; to analyse the nature and forms of popular mobilisation as well as that of popular response; to critically look at various government policies, legislations and welfare measures during the 1980-95 period; to study the nature and forms of electoral politics by analysing the ideology, agenda, forms of popular of major political parties in Odisha; to explore popular perceptions regarding the ruling establishment with special reference to tribes, peasants, workers and middle classes of the state; to comprehend the ideas and nations of rights and entitlements, development and democracy at the grass root levels; to critically analyse the discourse on development democracy and regionalism in Odisha; to understand how the Odia political leadership has adopted itself to new exigencies of post-colonial politics, especially to the changing politics of democratic negotiations associated with regional issues like scarcity, under development and planning. newline newline newline