You have suddenly become extremely vocal on almost every political issue. Why? 

I have always been vocal. There was a time when all the MLAs and electronic media friends used to visit my house. But they have been told not to do so now. But whenever anyone approaches me or I speak at public meetings, I speak my mind. I believe that you are in a house full of mosquitoes. You have to smoke them out, if there is a rat you have to kill it. Yes, I am vocal as the action of the government and the party is affecting the people. No one is against Naveen Patnaik. But the people surrounding Naveen Patnaik have been indulging in such nefarious activities that people are getting angry with the BJD.

Which people are you hinting at?

The people who were once with Pyari Mohan Mohapatra and had revolted against Naveen Patnaik are now surrounding him. A bureaucrat is now playing the role that Mohapatra had played then. The only difference is that Mohapatra had harboured ambitions to become chief minister, this bureaucrat wants to earn money. Even people who were once associated with goons and tried to create trouble in public meetings of Biju babu are now propagating Biju ideology. The man, who claims to be a cousin of Basant Biswal, is doing all kinds of mischief.

Suddenly you are raking up the issue of corruption in fertiliser purchase in the horticulture department…

At my level I had taken action when I was a minister. But whatever action I took was not carried out. Instead I was removed and the people against whom I took action were rewarded. Irregularities were found at many places starting from Balasore to Rayagada. I had placed some officers under suspension. But I was surprised even the execution of this order was delayed for seven days by the department. I did not speak in public about these things then as I had taken the oath of secrecy as a minister.  Now I am a free bird.

You are a party veteran. Of late, you are attacking both your party MLAs and bureaucrats. It is causing embarrassment to the government and Naveen. But you have not attacked the chief minister directly. Is it part of a strategy? 

As an MLA or a minister, if I do wrong, blame will go to the leader — the chief minister. Therefore, whenever I find that those in party or bureaucracy are indulging in nefarious activities, I criticise them.  I try to expose them with the intention that the chief minister will become conscious and punish them and accordingly take steps to strengthen the party as well as the government.

Does he actually become conscious?

Every Friday, I write an article in my newspaper in the same manner as Harekrushna Mahatab and Radhanath Rath used to do. Two weeks ago, I wrote an article and cited the case of Louis XVI, the last French monarch, who was executed.  But nowhere did I mention the name of Naveen babu. My intention is that he should understand things...I am telling the people if everything is going wrong, you give a fitting reply in the election. For this I am being singled out. I will stay within the party and continue to raise my voice till things improve. The party is named after Biju babu and as long as the party is in his name I will be part of it unless they throw me out.

You are not making direct attacks on the chief minister only to save your skin…  

You don’t know me. I was never after money and power. Why should I attack him? I am attacking those who are bringing the party into disrepute.

Do you think that he understands this?   

No, he (Naveen) is not taking any hints. My intention is that he should understand everything…. I will be in the party till its name is associated with Biju babu. If they change the name, I might quit.

Even if the Biju Janata Dal has Biju in it only symbolically, will you still remain in the party?

If the party is named Naveen Janata Dal or takes any other form, I will not be in that party. 

There is speculation that the party may deny ticket to you this time.

It does not matter. It’s the party president Naveen Patnaik who will decide. If he does not give me a ticket, I will not mind. But remember, if the party does not give me a ticket, I will contest as an independent. 

So you will go against the party line... 

People are supreme.  I am not in politics because I am the son of someone. I am in politics because of my hard work for the people for the last 40 years. For the last 18 years, I have solidly stood behind Naveen Patnaik right from the beginning of his career when he faced a lot of problems within the party in 2000 or on May 29, 2012, when a revolt was orchestrated against him. So, if I am being deprived a party ticket, I will go to the people and ask them what I should do.

If the party gives ticket to your son? What would be your future?

My son is not like the son of Ashok Das or Kalpataru Das. Once he comes to know that I will contest as an independent, he will not contest. At the same time, let me tell you that getting a party ticket is not essential to being in public life.

The party aims to bring in young blood by retiring old leaders. 

Young blood is the need of time. But if that young blood is contaminated then AIDS will attack you. Some argue that sons of politicians should be given tickets. But what if the sons are not worthy? Besides in politics, there is no retirement age. At a ripe age, Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister. His rule for two years is considered the golden period of Indian politics.  

Which Naveen Patnaik is better - the man who was fresh to politics in 1997 or the Naveen of today?

We all had persuaded him to join politics. Had he not joined politics, the Janata Dal would have been finished at that time. But at that time Naveen was manageable. Today he cannot be managed, as he is not communicating with the people any more.

Odisha Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to set up a legislative council to rope in experienced and learned people. How do you see this move?

This is being done under a constitutional provision.  But there are many other states that do not have councils. Whatever democratic institutions we have, we are not utilising them properly. We don't have respect for our own Constitution. We have adopted three-tier panchayat system and the duties and power are clearly defined. When we are not sincere about the panchayat system, what is the need for another constitutional body (Vidhan Parishad)?

Your critics say you have turned garrulous because of your age?

Then what about the drunkards?