We have seen many debates on the Lokayukta issue for the last four years. What's your demand exactly?
The Assembly passed the bill for the appointment of Lokayukta in January 2015. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had boasted that Odisha was the first state to enact the law. The legislation has received the President's assent. Naveen had said the new Lokayukta would be appointed within three months and then he said it would be done within six months. When will the law come into force? When there will be the notification?
• The post of leader of Opposition is considered a dignified post. But don't you think you broke the tradition by staging a protest in the well of the assembly?
When the democracy is butchered what other democratic way of protest is left for the leader of Opposition except going to the floor of the House? Earlier, I wrote six letters to the chief minister on the issue of delay in the appointment of Lokayukta. But, he did not respond. As per the Book Circular, the ministers including the chief minister should reply within 14 days. I have been raising the issue is each Assembly session. But government keeps mum.
• Do you think that once the Lokayukta is appointed corruption will come to an end?
No. Never. We are living in a place where even the God is bribed. By simply enacting the law, corruption cannot vanish but it can be checked to a great extent. There will be a fear of the law.
• The government must be examining various issues before implementing it...
Yes, they have been examining it for four long years! Before the formulation of the bill, all aspects of law should be looked into. After it was passed and got the assent of the President, there is no scope left for examination. There should be immediate notification. A Lokayukta should be appointed forthwith. Otherwise as per the old law which is still in force, a Lokpal should be appointed.
• Govt may not agree for immediate notification...
I don't expect it from this government which does not believe in democracy. I will find other ways to get an answer from the government.
• Besides the Lokayukta issue, you raised the issue of Mahanadi water sharing. You had also led a delegation to Chhattisgarh. With the Supreme Court's direction for constituting a tribunal, you must be happy now...
I am partly satisfied that the tribunal has been formed. Better late than never. Odisha should get justice from it. The law is in our favour.
Two committees were formed - one under the chairmanship of the chief minister and the other under the leadership of the Speaker of the Assembly - on the Mahanadi issue. Why not a single meeting has been called so far? There lies the problem. To achieve the goal, we have to join hands in the interest of the state.
• You have announced that you will not contest the election. With the election approaching, are you sure you will stick to your decision?
That is what I have thought of. However, I will be in politics. I was in politics even before becoming an MLA though not in electoral politics. If your party asks you to contest, one has to abide by it or quit the party. A politician survives because of the party cadres and his sympathisers. If they insist, you will contest or quit politics.
• Your father was in politics, you are in politics. What about your son?
My father was a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1947. Now, I am in active politics. One of my sons is in politics. Once somebody becomes an adult, you cannot dictate his future course of action.
• BJP president Amit Shah is visiting Balangir in the first week of April to strengthen the party's base there...
In 2014, Narendra Modi had come. What was the result? So Amit Shah will come to Balangir, his visit will have no impact.
• You had a sitting MLA in Bijepur. Why did you lose the election so miserably in the bypoll and even lost security deposit?
We faced a disastrous defeat. The party will certainly probe it and analyse reasons.
• Leaders are deserting the Congress one after another. What's the future of your party?
Passengers board the train and also get down from it. Does it mean that the train will not run? New persons will board. The party survives as the ideology is not dead.
• Do you think party can be revived?
Of course, the Congress will bounce back. Had anyone thought that the BJP which once had only two Lok Sabha seats will get absolute majority in 2014? In politics, there are ups and downs. However, the Congress can come to power only when the party as a whole discharges its duties effectively.
• Many MLAs were not considered even as members of the revamped AICC. It seems OPCC president Prasad Harichandan has a complete grip on the party now...
We have authorised the AICC president to nominate the AICC members. All the MLAs and MPs are not necessarily AICC members. There might be some dissatisfaction among some sections of the MLAs or leaders. That's a different matter. That's an internal matter which we will take care of.
• Is there a lack of co-ordination between the Congress Legislature Party and the OPCC?
No. The MLAs are united. They are solidly with the party. In any democracy, differences are natural.
• There is talk that Congress MLAs are in touch with the BJD and BJP...
Media is raising the issue that the MLAs will desert the party. Have you ever seen that any MLA has deserted the party? We owe an apology from the media. On what basis is the media speculating for the last one and half year on this? We have passed a resolution that we are solidly united.
• But, there is even speculation that you may join the BJD...
I started my career with a communist party without hoping for power. Sun may rise in the west, but Narasingha Mishra will not join BJD.
• Is your party united under the leadership of Harichandan?
Yes. Differences are bound to be there in a party that believes in democracy. There were differences between Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel. Was the party not united then?
• One of your party MLAs said the party would not win the election under the leadership of Harichandan. Your comments?
I am not answerable for what somebody else has said.
