Your support is deemed crucial for the Posco project. In a changed scenario, what is your stand on this issue?

I have been saying that I have got full support for the Posco project at Dhinkia. But the sincerity of the government towards the implementation of the project, intentionally or otherwise, remains doubtful. The so-called CPI leaders who are opposing the project are not local people and have no knowledge of that area. When I had successfully resolved the CPI opposition, the district administration behaved in a peculiar manner for which I had to withdraw support. Later, the party fielded a known anti-Posco activist of CPI, for the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat at the behest of an influential leader, who is close to the power corridor.

You had said no other traditional forest dwellers live in the Posco areas. But a section of people from the area did not agree to your point.

From the beginning, it has been a non- tribal area and no traditional forest dweller ever resided there. The present residents of the three gram panchayats there came from nearby areas.

Do you feel that there are many people in the government who are opposing the Posco project?

Definitely, since the MoU has not been renewed. When the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has given the clearance, where is the difficulty? Even the clause regarding swapping of iron ore has already been abandoned. If the MoU is not renewed, why should the people leave their land? A powerful section in the BJD is trying to destroy the prospects of the steel project.

Does that group include Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, the so-called second power centre, in the party?

I leave it for the mediapersons and people of the state to name him. He is a powerful man closely connected to the power corridor.

Why do you think chief minister Naveen Patnaik dropped you from the ministry?

My well-wishers and friends in the media tell me that I have been punished for not accepting the presence of a second power centre in the BJD. Naveen Patnaik enjoys abundant love and affection of the people for which they have elected him to power thrice. Why should someone else claim to be the king-maker?

What was your reaction when the CM asked for your resignation?

It was unexpected and very shocking. Everything was going fine.

Do you feel that you were asked to resign because of your anti-Dalit remark?

I have not made any anti-Dalit remarks. The matter is now sub-judice. During my political career, under my efforts, a kanyashram exclusively for Dalit girls is functioning in Paradipgarh. There is another sevashram in Padmapur area of Ersama block. Whatever I have done for my Dalit brothers, the so-called dalit leader (his bete noire from Jagatsinghpur district Bishnu Das, BJD MLA) has done nothing in comparison.

There is a perception that you were, in fact, axed from the cabinet for your “war of words” with Pyari Mohapatra. Do you think he pressurised Naveen to drop you?

Dropping or inducting a minister is purely the prerogative of the chief minister. I have nothing to say about this. Pyari was not in politics when Naveen babu was elected as chief minister in 2000. Is it a crime to accept only one leader and be punished for it? By asking me to resign, Naveen babu has accepted that there is a second power centre who wields overall influence on him. I cannot accept anyone except Naveen babu as my leader.

Do you agree with your party colleagues who have said you are suffering because you don’t have a control over your tongue?

Those who have said this are cowards. For me, enjoying power or accumulating property while sacrificing self-dignity is not acceptable.

Is your statement about spending time with your grandchildren intended to draw public sympathy or you have resigned to your fate?

I am approaching 70. I want to spend time with my grandchildren. At the same time, I will serve the people, my constituency and the party keeping my dignity intact. There is plenty of public sympathy and support for me.

Are you hoping for a comeback to the ministry?

I have not thought about it. When I was asked to resign in 2006, I did not react. Nor did I beg for a comeback in the 2009 ministry. I was given a berth and now it has been taken away again.

Even though you are a BJD leader, do you feel that the party has sidelined you in Jagatsingpur district and tried to promote Bishnu Das?

Is it appropriate for you to compare me with Bishnu Das?

Do you think the government or party should make a performance assessment of the ministers?

If it is a cadre-based party, then the party judges the performance of ministers. If not, then the chief minister has to judge. This has become a debatable topic.

Do you think everything is going on smoothly in the party?

It is best known to the people of Orissa. Till I am in BJD, accepting Naveen babu as my only leader, it would not be wise on my part to comment on the party's functioning. If the BJD had internal party democracy, then a second power centre would not have existed.

Who, according to you, has been the best chief minister so far?

No doubt, it is Biju Babu. He was a visionary.

A man with the gift of gab

Known for his gift of gab, former agriculture minister, Damador Rout was dragged into state politics by none other than the legendary Biju Patnaik. After courting controversy for alleged anti-dalit remarks and war of words with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strategist, Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, he was axed from the cabinet last week by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

He completed his schooling from Tirtol and later pursued Plus Two in science at the Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. He then moved to the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology and passed out as a veterinary surgeon.

While he was working as the information officer of the animal husbandry department in Cuttack, Biju Patnaik had offered him a Janata Dal ticket to contest the Assembly elections. In his first attempt in 1977, Rout won the elections from his home constituency, Erasama.

Rout was first sworn in as the minister of State, Information and Public Relations in 1979. In his career, he was the minister for nearly 15 departments. He has won the Assembly election on a BJD ticket in 2000, 2004 and 2009.

He is known for mobilising mass awareness against dowry, untouchability, drug Abuse, establishing educational institutions. He has an interest in reading, writing poems, short stories and organising socio-cultural activities. He is also the editor of a magazine and few periodicals.

What would you have been had you not been a politician?

I was in government service earlier. I was posted as the information officer of the animal husbandry department in Cuttack and would have retired as the assistant director or director of that department. As a child, I had no ambitions; my father wanted me to become a doctor. Since I had no intention of joining politics, I took up a government job after college. However, Biju Patnaik dragged me into politics and gave me the responsibility to safeguard the interests of Paradip port. I had met Biju babu, the then chief minister, on several earlier occasions when I was the student leader of OUAT veterinary college.