Second AIIMS demand: Convenience politics are adopted by BJD and BJP

In the run-up to the general elections, the BJD and BJP have both seemingly abandoned their desire to establish Odisha’s second AIIMS in Sundargarh town, which was a top priority for their bitter rivals two years ago.

Prior to the February 2022 panchayat elections, the BJD made aggressive demands, while the BJP, with its central administration, took a defensive stance. Local leaders of both parties now seem to have accepted the harsh reality that the demand is unlikely to be taken into consideration by the Center and that public interest in the matter may not be as great as it was before to the rural elections.

The BJD administration in the state has suggested to the Center that it think about constructing Odisha’s second AIIMS utilizing the recently built medical college and hospital (MCH) building constructed by the NTPC, in a cunning plan to garner political benefits from the panchayat elections. The demand swiftly gained traction in Sundargarh town, the Sundargarh subdivision, and the surrounding areas of the districts of Jharsuguda and Sambalpur.

The BJD said that the central BJP administration was ignoring popular demands. Confronted with a sharp circumstance, the saffron party accused the BJD administration of engaging in vote-bank tactics.

As the Sundargarh Government MCH, the new MCH is now operational, and the BJD seems to be happy to claim credit for it. The BJP is also keeping quiet and not wanting to raise the demand.

Jogesh Singh, a two-time MLA and BJD candidate for the Sundargarh Assembly seat, said that the party continues to push for the AIIMS in the greater interest of the area’s impoverished and tribal population.

Kusum Tete, the sitting MLA and the BJP’s candidate for the Sundargarh Assembly seat, said that she will bring up the matter with the Central government after the polls, regardless of the vote results.

BJD and BJP, according to former Sundargarh district Congress committee president BM Tripathy, are two sides of the same coin. During the election campaign, the Congress will reiterate the AIIMS demand and expose the BJD and BJP.