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Country needs a third front: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
Bibhuti Pati
Bhubaneswar
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Photo: Shailendra Pandey |
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You were a newcomer to politics. Yet the success you have achieved is rare in contemporary politics. What is the reason behind this success?
I was new to politics, but I hail from a political family. My father Biju Patnaik was a legendary figure in Indian politics hence I have been indirectly involved in politics. Since the beginning of my career I had understood that politics was being sullied by certain political personalities. The government was not reaching out to the common man and the state’s problems were not being solved. My party’s principle was to reach the grassroots and gain people’s confidence. I wanted to build Biju babu’s dream Odisha through development of industry and agriculture.
What would you like to say about Biju babu, ‘the political legend of India’?
We always give a special place to the self-esteem of people of the state. It is for them that we have been raising our voice against negligence by the centre. The state won’t compromise with its self-respect as Biju babu always gave priority to the state. Paradip is now one of the most important sea ports in the country, which was one of his dreams. And to make his dream come true, the bjd government constructed another national-level port in Dhamra. We are also trying to give emphasis to agriculture, women’s empowerment, uplift the sc/st and human resource development just as Biju babu did.
But your process of industrial development has created a restive atmosphere.
Our people are not opposing it. Some people with vested interests are perpetually trying to put a spanner in the wheel of progress. If the people are opposed to our government then how is it that my government has got this overwhelming success starting from panchayat polls to assembly and parliamentary elections?
There are allegations against your government regarding the mining scam, Pipili gang rape and liquor deaths which are sensitive issues. Political analysts comment that because of a weak opposition these issues are not properly highlighted.
I have no comments to offer on the opposition. We have adopted stiff measures on the mining scam. Look at the moral responsibilities shown by my ministers in the Pipili gang rape and liquor tragedy. The people of Odisha have realised how my government has taken strong action.
Liquor tragedy is not new in the state. The moot point is the liquor tragedy has occurred owing to consumption of medicine yet you have shielded the minister of health.
I have summoned a high-level committee. Around 60 people have been arrested by the excise department, following raids and more than 1,650 have been arrested by the health department. There is a need to change the existing excise laws. In this connection I have apprised the UPA and the prime minister, but the centre is completely inert to these issues. There is absolutely no truth in protecting the health minister.
You were the room-mate of Sanjay Gandhi while at Doon School. It is said that you are very close to the Gandhi family and intimate with Congress politics. Yet you are ill-disposed towards Congress.
The bjd is created on the principles of Biju Patnaik. He had started the anti-Congress movement. bjd has believed in that principle. Today’s UPA government is steeped in corruption. That is why I have exhorted other parties to form the third front.
All of a sudden why do you feel the need for a third front political party?
I certainly feel the need for another front, as UPA is scam-ridden and the nda is communally tainted. Country needs a third front, which is secular and anti-corruption. I have spoken about it to Mamata Banerjee, J Jayalalithaa and Chandrababu Naidu, and have urged them to fight the centre’s authoritarian move on NCTC. States must resist this blatant encroachment on federal powers of our people and our government.
Congress leaders comment that ‘You politicise issues like NCTC, and RPF etc,’ your reaction?
I have no intention of politicising the campaign.
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