Both mainstream and fringe political outfits who contested in the recently held general and Assembly elections showed any seriousness in implementation of historic acts such as Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA), Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 and protection of Land Rights in tribal areas, said Campaign for Survival Dignity (CSD). The Odisha unit of CSD, which played a key role in the enactment of FRA 2006, said although land and rights over natural resources were major issues for tribals and the population facing displacement by mining and industrial projects, political parities did not address them. According to CSD, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) took pride by claiming to be number one in FRA implementation in the whole country by issuing 3,25,889 individual forest rights titles over 5,15,870.67 acres of forest land and 3,131 community forest rights titles over 151164.09 acres of forest land, but the legislation which emphasised rights, was implemented like land patta distribution scheme. “While the FRA just recognises traditional rights of forest dwellers over forest land, authorising the gram sabha to decide the matter, the BJD government has implemented the FRA as land distribution scheme, spoiling the spirit of the FRA,” said Manahor Chouhan of CSD. On the other hand, the Congress talked of stringent implementation of the FRA, 2006 in its manifesto and assured to protect the traditional rights of forest dwellers, but hardly any Congress leader met forest dwellers and tried to know the status during electioneering, Mr. Chouhan pointed out. The CPI (M) did not mention the FRA, but promised to expedite issue of patta to STs and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs), he said. The Bharatiya Janata Party had emphasised forest protection and regeneration expediting social forestry programmes, he said. BJD government has spoilt the spirit of the FRA , says Manahot Chouhan of CSD