Now that you have been elected to the Rajya Sabha and will cease to be a minister in the state, how do you feel?

I have never run after any official position. I began my political career by pasting posters on walls and shouting slogans for leaders. God has been kind to me, and I am happy with where I am today. I am busy with the election work, because my party chief has entrusted me with this task. I am making sincere efforts.

Your present job is similar to the one Pyari Mohan Mohapatra used to do in the past elections. Now that Mohapatra has been thrown out of the BJD for plotting against Naveen, you have been entrusted with the job. That is the public perception. What do you have to say?

Please don’t drag me into unnecessary controversies. I am an ordinary political worker and am here because of the patronage of my leader.

You have risen from the ranks. You are a political person. Now you are part of the decision-making process of the BJD as you enjoy the confidence of Naveen…

Naveen babu has been calling the shots from the day he entered into politics. He has now drafted me for the organisation. Earlier, he had given me the assignment to run a department as a minister.

I am aware that there is a section within the party that thinks I take all political decisions. It is a misconception. As a dedicated political worker, I know where to draw the line. I never cross that Lakshmanrekha.

Your party has received thousands of applications seeking nominations. How are you selecting your nominees?

People, in general, know that the BJD will return to power with a sweeping majority. Naturally, we will receive more applications from all kinds of people. Let me tell you, we have screened all the applicants and found around 2,000 serious ones. Simultaneously, we are also doing a reality check on the backgrounds of the aspirants by holding consultations with our local party leaders. Our party has its own network. Besides, we are also banking on our surveys in each and every constituency.

If you change faces, there is a danger that your party men may turn rebels and contest the polls.

I don’t see such possibilities. One person will get the ticket in one constituency. The party workers are aware of that. Our workers are determined to ensure that the party returns to power with a good majority under Naveen babu’s leadership.

Your party has been targeting youth and women. The government, in the recent past, has announced many schemes for them. Will the same reflect in ticket distribution?

In 2009, the party had given tickets to nearly 50 youths. It will be repeated this time. We will give tickets to those, who have a chance to win. We have to look at the “winability” factor. Wait and see our list of candidates.

There seems to be an exodus from the Congress to your party. Even former leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh has come to your fold. How are you going to accommodate their interests?

People are joining the BJD without any condition. Let me make it clear that we have not assured them of anything. We feel that their presence in our party would strengthen our organisation. Barring one or two from the recent entrants, I don’t think the party will give them tickets. Our leadership is going by ground realities.

When Naveen is a celebrity himself, what prompts your party to induct film stars? Don’t you think the ordinary workers, aspiring to have political positions in the party structure, will feel disappointed? Are you getting the celebrities only for election propaganda?

Not at all! People are attracted to Naveen babu’s personality. They are not being inducted because they are celebrities. We have inducted those, who have excelled in their respective fields. This will strengthen our party’s support base. There is nothing wrong in it. Film stars are joining politics all over the country. If one wants to serve people through politics, what’s the harm?

Can we say that your party is not getting suitable candidates, and for this reason alone, you are in a hurry to bring people from all sections, including other parties?

No, this is not true. Our party has reached every nook and corner of the state. If more people join the party, it will only strengthen it. There is no harm in this.

Will the party give tickets to all those MLAs, who were part of Pyari Mohan Mohapatra’s unsuccessful coup?

Let me tell you one thing. You must have seen many MLAs at my house. If I conspire against Naveen babu, will you blame these MLAs? Many people used to go Pyari babu’s house, but they never had any idea about his nefarious designs. Once they got to know, they retracted.

Now that you are going to the Rajya Sabha and you have represented your home constituency consecutively for four terms, would you like your son to contest the Assembly elections?

It’s natural for a father to see his son to earn name and fame. But, the son has to prove his calibre. There are instances when sons create trouble for their parents. About my son, it’s the party that will take the decision.