FACE TO FACE: Many consider Mohapatra (above) as the power behind Naveen

CAUSE FOR CONTENTION Pyari Mohan is accused of ... « Dismissal of three ministers last year; suspension of three this year. « Transfer of key officials. « Setting the tone for Naveen's day with an 8 a.m. phone call « Influencing the Government; the induction of three BJD as ministers at his behest

The occasion being Naveen Patnaik's bashing, each jibe made by political rivals drew lusty cheers from the huge partisan crowd. But surprisingly, the loudest cheers at last week's rally in Hinjili were reserved for barbs directed not at Naveen, but one of his aides, 63-year-old Pyari Mohan Mohapatra. "It is PM—Pyari Mohapatra—who is Orissa's real CM," derided a speaker.

That the crowd enjoyed the jeers heaped on Mohapatra was incidental. Talking about the retired IAS officer has become the favourite pastime of politicians, and stories of Mohapatra's proximity to Naveen and the clout he wields are already passing into folklore. While loyalists of the chief minister fawn over him, dissidents bay for his blood. One reason for the recent rebellion against Naveen by six BJD MPs is stated to be his overdependence on Mohapatra, who was late chief minister Biju Patnaik's principal secretary during 1990-95.

"I am being unfairly targeted," protests Mohapatra, sitting in his plush Saheed Nagar home in Bhubaneswar. The former bureaucrat, who formally joined the BJD in 2000, admits to advising Naveen on various issues. "But he also listens to other people," he says.

Many politicians believe Mohapatra is Naveen's Achilles' Heel. Having lived outside Orissa till he entered politics, Naveen is known to have a limited circle of friends in Bhubaneswar. Mohapatra is said to have exploited this near social vacuum. Says Bijoy Mohapatra, president of the Orissa Gana Parishad: "Pyari Mohan is to Patnaik what Sasikala was to Jayalalithaa and Kusum Rai to Kalyan Singh."

Mohapatra's closeness has unleashed a rash of accusations (see box). Even Debasish Nayak, a BJD legislator and one of Naveen's trusted lieutenants, has little good to say about him. "Pyari Babu is misusing the chief minister's trust for his personal ends."

It is believed that by the time Naveen returns home for lunch, faxed messages from Mohapatra with "suggestions and instructions" are waiting for him. Some more calls follow later in the day and at times, an official car fetches Mohapatra for closed door meetings late in the night.

As Mohapatra's stature acquires larger-than-life proportions, a few people believe he may not be as powerful as he appears. While Naveen encourages him to advise him, the chief minister does not necessarily heed everything he is told. One example is the continuance of two senior officials in the Chief Minister's Office despite Mohapatra's suggestion that they be removed.

So while seeming to grant Mohapatra a free hand, Naveen may actually be firmly in control. "For someone who constantly needs a fall guy to deflect criticism and stay clean himself, Mohapatra fits the bill perfectly," says a senior politician. While Mohapatra is at the receiving end, the chief minister focuses on the bouquets. Naveen could not have been any shrewder.