Subhechcha Ganguly 
Prithviraj Harichandan, the prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Odisha, is a man of many facets. To understand his rise to political prominence and his impact on the BJP’s fortunes in the state, one must delve into his background and political trajectory.
Harichandan’s journey began when he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP. He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization, gaining a reputation as a committed and disciplined worker. It was this dedication that caught the attention of the BJP’s top brass, who soon brought him into the party fold.
Over the years, Harichandan’s star continued to rise within the BJP, and he was eventually appointed the party’s general secretary in Odisha. In this role, he proved to be an effective organizer, using his experience and expertise to galvanize the party’s cadre and expand its reach in the state.
But it is perhaps Harichandan’s deep understanding of the people and politics of Odisha that sets him apart from other BJP leaders. He has an acute sense of the state’s political landscape, having worked tirelessly for years to build the BJP’s base from the grassroots up. This has given him an unparalleled insight into the needs and aspirations of the people of Odisha, which he has leveraged to great effect in his political career.
Harichandan’s influence in the BJP has only grown in recent years, as the party has sought to expand its presence in the eastern states of India. With his deep connections in the state, and his ability to articulate the party’s vision in a way that resonates with the people, Harichandan has emerged as a key strategist and advisor for the BJP leadership.
He has been vociferously opposing police atrocities in the state and the rising instances of police excess. Under his stewardship, the state unit of the BJP observed March 5 as the ‘Corruption Day’. He recently alleged that Odisha has become a breeding ground for corruption as irregularities to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore take place every year in the Panchayati Raj system. The BJP leader claimed that the Panchayati Raj system is becoming increasingly politicized and corrupt as legislators of the ruling party control PRI affairs, a blow to direct democracy.
Mounting a scathing attack on the BJD government, the senior BJP leader said observation of Panchayati Raj Diwas on March 5 is of no meaning as the entire nation celebrates the day on April 24. Odisha is the only state doing it on March 5, he said.
Prithviraj Harichandan is a dynamic figure in Odisha’s political scene, who has played a significant role in shaping the BJP’s fortunes in the state. He is a tireless organizer and strategist, with a deep understanding of the people and politics of Odisha. However, his critics have accused him of promoting a divisive agenda, and this remains a point of debate in the state’s political discourse. Regardless of one’s views on him, it is clear that Harichandan will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in Odisha’s political landscape for years to come.
