BJD vice-president and agriculture minister Damodar Rout spoke to Subhashish Mohanty over a possibility of alliance with the Congress

• Why did you suddenly raise the issue of an alliance with the Congress?

It's not me. It's the media people who came to my chamber and wanted to know my views on a possible alliance in Odisha on the line with Gujarat. I said as the BJP turned to be a threat to the country's sovereignty and integrity, all secular forces at the national level should join hand to check its growth.

I am quite disturbed over recent developments including the Taj controversy and the BJP's attempts to create a communal divide. I was also disturbed the way they said they would throw the BJD government in the Bay of Bengal and cast aspersions against Naveen Patnaik. However, I had also said clearly that our party president would take a final call on BJD-Congress tie-up.

• But, the BJD is divided on it. Your leaders - MP Baijayant Panda and minister Surya Naryan Patro - had said such a proposition would be difficult to swallow...

I personally don't think Congress is untouchable. At the same time, I just want to say that I have built my career (raising voice) against the Congress and the UPA government's negligence towards the state.

People know my integrity and their history as well. Naveen babu is my leader and whatever he decides I will abide by it.

• Perhaps you are making a U turn on the issue after Naveen said the party would continue to maintain equi-distance from both the Congress and the BJP...

There is no U turn. I had never said we "should forge an alliance" with the Congress. We are a regional party and taking up the issue of Odia pride and the state's interest. You people don't understand it and misinterpret things, so that my leader Naveen Patnaik misunderstands me. But it is my good luck that he has not misunderstood me. He has complete faith in me.

• When party MP Bhartruhari Mahatab spoke of an alliance with the Congress, every one criticised him. Then why do you think you should be spared?

Yes, he talked about an alliance with the Congress. But at the same time, he also praised BJP and Narendra Modi.

Some of our other MPs, including Baijayant Panda, always take a soft stand on the BJP. But I am a hard critic of the BJP. For me, they are our enemy No. 1.

• Are you scared of the BJP?

What are you talking about? When they were with the BJD, they had 36 MLAs. After they left us, their number reduced to 10. They will remain within that figure. Let them dream about coming to power.

It will remain a dream for them forever. They are yet to understand that secular ethos is 5,000 years old here. No one can damage it.

• Many leaders have announced that they would not contest the election in 2019 because of the age factor. What's your plan?

Why should I quit electoral politics? As long the people who are my masters and the party think I should contest, I will continue to be in the electoral politics.