Bhubaneswar: On 18th October 2021, Anjali Behera, the three time MLA from Hindol in Dhenkanal District joined the Bharatiya Janata Party amidst much fan and fare. She was welcomed into the Party by none other than Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the presence of State President Samir Mohanty and other big leaders. It was said that Anjali’s joining the saffron party will dramatically help it in improving its presence in the district. For Anjali, joining the BJP was the most important thing in her political career.
Today, after just three months, where is Anjali Behera? The three-time MLA and two-time minister has filed her nomination papers for the Samiti Sabhya Member. This is the importance the Bharatiya Janata Party has given her. This show the true color of the party and teaches a lesson for the politician.
Anjali’s political career came into limelight due to Biju Janata Dal. The party gave her the chance to fight for MLA for three times. She was even made Minister under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for two times. But due to her over ambitions she defied party line and later was expelled from the BJD.
Anjali was expelled from the Biju Janata Dal in 2014 when she filed her nomination papers as an independent candidate from Hindol Assembly seat after being denied ticket by the party. She lost the polls with huge margin and went into oblivion from the political landscape.
In 2021, Anjali joined the Bharatiya Janata Party with the ambition that the party will give her prominence and she can regain her political career. But today, after she filled her nominations for the Samiti Sabhya post, it has become clear that the BJP has betrayed her.
When we look deeper into the two parties and their function, the Biju Janata Dal today stands at a high pedestal in comparison to others. The BJD helped Anjali Behera to become the MLA and made her a minister showing how its commitment to women empowerment. The BJD gave her the opportunity to serve the people. The party also wants to give opportunity to all and hence decided not to give the ticket in 2014. And who defies party lines, has to face the repercussions. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to have betrayed the Women politicians this time by not giving their proper position.
The Biju Janata Dal under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been at the fore front when it comes to women empowerment. Under Naveen, a grassroots leader like Pramila Bisoi was given a chance to become a Member of Parliament. The priority for the party has been empowerment of women and their development. But the reverse is seen in Bharatiya Janata Party which has neglected women and never bothered for their participation in state politics.