Prime Abhilas & Barendra Kumar elucidate the longest pro-incumbency at Odisha
New Delhi: Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, is all set to become the the longest serving CM in India. Authors of Towering Leadership demystify the components of pro-incumbency.
Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, is all set to become the longest serving Chief Minister of a state in history of India, a few months after he wins state assembly elections for the sixth consecutive time. He will be overtaking the record set by Former Chief of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling.
In the book, ‘Towering Leadership : A Saga On Empathetic Governance’, authored by Prime Abhilas and co-authored by Barendra Kumar, it is mentioned that its hard to think of any Indian politician with no previous political experience who has captured public imagination the way Naveen Patnaik has and has turned the concept of anti-incumbency upside down by winning five successive Assembly elections and on course to win for the sixth time.
The book, ‘Towering Leadership’ states that Naveen Patnaik has demonstrated remarkable emotional intelligence in his tenure as Chief Minister. He has the emotional intelligence to understand his voters, what motivates them and how to work cooperatively with them.
From initiating the cash assistance programme – Kalia – prior to the 2019 polls and to doling out money and assistance to women self-help groups, who form the bulk of his vote bank, to the Rs 1 per kg rice scheme for people who are as poor as a church mouse, he has done everything possible to satisfy his voter base. This understanding of what motivates others, being able to relate to people in a positive manner and to build stronger bonds with others, makes those with higher emotional intelligence, better leaders. Naveen Patnaik is a prime example of this.
The book ‘Towering Leadership : A Saga On Empathetic Governance’ which has also been translated into Odia language by Prime Abhilas & Barendra Kumar under the heading ‘Katha Kaam Kama Besi’, quotes American political activist, Martin Luther King Jr, who had mentioned that “you cannot lead people unless you love them”.
When you keep people first – it is good politics, when you keep people first there is no anti-incumbency.
As per Naveen Patnaik, all the negative associates of politics – power, wealth and position dissolve into nothingness, if one loves the people. He attributes his love for people to the success of ensuring zero casualty even in worst of natural disasters, leading the country in rural housing, highest poverty reduction in the country.