By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
Odisha politics has once again heated up with serious allegations against Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. Former Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai and senior Congress leader Jaydev Jena have accused the Chief Minister of favouring non-Odia mining mafias in the state, particularly in Keonjhar and Jajpur districts.
According to the allegations, after Mohan Majhi took charge as the Chief Minister, the state witnessed the arrest of BJD leader and alleged mining mafia kingpin Raja Chakro. However, soon after, the responsibility of mineral transportation and exports in Keonjhar district was allegedly handed over to a transport company linked to Rajesh Jayswal and Mata Jayswal, who are seen as outsiders in the local mining sector.
Both Ghadai and Jena strongly criticised this move, claiming it has sidelined local Odia youth and small transporters. Earlier, many local youths were employed in transportation and other mining-related work. Today, they are left jobless while outsiders dominate every level—from truck transportation to labour engagement.
Jaydev Jena went a step further and said, “It is not the Mohan Majhi government that is running Odisha, but the Jayswal mining mafia.” Prafulla Ghadai drew a parallel, saying, If Adani runs the government at the national level, then in Odisha, it is the Jayswals.
These sharp remarks have raised a storm in Odisha’s political circles. The BJP had come to power with the promise of safeguarding Odia Asmita (Odia identity), but critics are now questioning whether that very identity is being compromised. Despite having a few Odia mine owners in the state, most of the lucrative contracts are allegedly being cornered by outsiders, leaving local interests neglected.
The central question now being raised by the people of Odisha is:
What is the true relationship between CM Mohan Majhi and Rajesh Jayswal?
And more importantly, whose interests is the Chief Minister really serving?
As this debate unfolds, the issue of Odia identity, local employment, and mining ownership has once again taken centre stage in Odisha politics.
