Hot seat

GIRIDHAR GOMANG, former chief minister of Odisha and senior Congress leader

After winning the Lok Sabha seat from Koraput constituency nine times in a row from 1972, you lost the tenth one in 2009 to Jayram Pangi of the BJD. How did you take that defeat?

I beg to differ. It was not a defeat but a setback for a political man like me. After being in active politics for over four decades, I did not consider that as a defeat. I was confident of winning the polls but had never imagined certain people, who were jealous of my achievements, were making arrangements so that I lose.

You have already announced that you will not contest elections anymore, but you are often seen at the meetings of the Pradesh Congress Committee?

I have made up my mind that I will not involve myself in electoral politics and have communicated this decision to the party high command, including Sonia Gandhi. But that does not mean I will isolate myself from party politics. I will fulfil all party responsibilities except contesting elections. I am very stubborn.

Was it ethical on your part to cast a vote in Parliament on the confidence motion in 1998 while you had been elected as the chief minister of Odisha? It is said that your vote sealed the fate of the 13-month-old Vajpayee government in its last innings, forcing a mid-term poll on the country.

People tried to blame me without getting into the details. I had not resigned from the membership of Lok Sabha and had not been elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly. So it was wrong. A member of the National Conference Party (NCP), an ally of the NDA government, had defected from their party’s stand which caused their downfall. I did what my party asked me to do — voted against the confidence motion.

You held office as CM for a brief period of 10 months in 1999. Do you have any regrets? Is there anything that you wanted to do but could not?

I do not have any regrets for I have not done anything wrong during my tenure. I am in politics not for personal gains but to work for the people. My party is like my family and I am discharging my duties just like a family member.

As a former chief minister, who, according to you, has been the best leader of the state so far?

I will answer this question when history of Odisha is written.

How do you rate Naveen Patnaik as a chief minister?

When I am not rating Biju (Patnaik) babu, why should I rate Naveen? I don’t believe in criticising or competing with anyone. One must sharpen his own capabilities before making comments about someone.

Now that you are out of active politics, it is being perceived that you are promoting your family members in the field?

Everybody is doing that. What is the problem if Giridhar Gomang does the same? I do not believe in contradicting or confronting anyone. I have a clear conscience. We are a political family. My wife and my youngest son will remain in active politics.

The media had reported of a rift between you and your wife, Hema — a marital discord, to be precise. How is your equation with her now?

We are very much together. We are staying under one roof as husband and wife. In a political family, problems may crop up. But the speculations about our separation were unwarranted. Please do not stretch the matter now. It is a thing of the past.

You are participating and performing in several music programmes. How do you view this transition?

I am a politician and a musician. Music is my passion. Whenever people invite me to perform at a concert, I tell them not to invite me as a former chief minister, former Union minister or a former parliamentarian, but as a musician.

Since you have retired from active politics, what is your source of income now?

I might have come from the jungle but I am not a savage, I might be poor but I am not a beggar. I draw pension as a former parliamentarian and my wife gets her salary and allowances from the state government.

Do you think the state government has failed to tackle Naxalism in the state?

Exploitation and underdevelopment over the years in many areas have given way to discontentment, frustration and resentment among the people. The administration needs to be strengthened, not just in tribal-dominated areas but everywhere. Exploited groups must be identified and integrated in the process of inclusive development.

Do you believe the Congress would come back to power in Odisha in 2014?

Why do you doubt it? In 1995, when everyone expected Biju babu (then in the Janata Dal) to win with a huge majority, the Congress came to power. The same might happen with the BJD. Time will tell. Be patient.

Journey of a Congress man

A simple, unassuming man, Giridhar Gomang, 68, is a senior leader of the Congress party and a former chief minister of Odisha

He was born in the nondescript village of Dibirisinghi in Rayagada district. He was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1972 from Koraput and was re-elected for eight more terms till 2004. He lost his 10th poll in 2009 to BJD’s Jayaram Pangi

Gomang was elected as chief minister of Odisha in February, 1999 and remained in office for around 10 months

His wife Hema and youngest son are also in politics. Hema won the Lok Sabha elections from Koraput constituency in 1999, while he was serving as the chief minister

The tribal leader shares a great interest in music and has even evolved a new style of playing the dhamp, a rustic drum. He can also play various other folk, tribal, traditional and western electronic instruments

He has performed in more than 300 stage shows in India and abroad, associated with a few documentary films and at least a dozen music releases. He is the founder-director and patron of “Hidden Talents Cultural Troupe” in Koraput

At present, Gomang stays in Bhubaneswar and often takes part in musical programmes

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN HAD YOU NOT BEEN A POLITICIAN?

I would probably have been a teacher. I taught at a high school near my village for three or four years. However, I always had a great passion for music. I was inspired by my father, who was also an artiste. I don’t have any formal education in music. I don’t have any guru and nor am I anyone’s guru. Till now, I have performed in more than 300 musical programmes but I never practice.I believe in spontaneity and experimentation. I create music out of non-musical instruments. Through music, I want to promote Odisha’s art and culture.