You have proved to be a lucky minister. Within three months of taking charge of the agriculture ministry, the state received the highest agricultural productivity award for 2011. Although the feat has primarily been achieved due to the efforts of your predecessors, you are basking in reflected glory. How does it feel to reap the benefits of efforts put in by others?

I consider myself fortunate. Earlier, too, I have said that though I received the award from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, I didn’t deserve it completely. The credit goes to our farmers, scientists and officers. And the greatest contribution has been made by our chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

You did not mention former agriculture minister Damodar Rout's name. Isn't he also responsible for this success?

The success was the result of teamwork. In our team, Naveen Patnaik is the coach and Dama babu was the captain at that time. But I was destined to receive the award; such is the irony of life.

The state was affected by drought in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Floods and cyclones have also hit agricultural production in the last few years. Despite recurrent natural calamities, how was it possible for Orissa to win the award?

We received the award on the basis of statistics available with the planning and coordination department, government of India, and this was announced by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Our agricultural production has increased due to the improved farming techniques and scientific support.

During the first tenure of Naveen, you had been inducted as the chief whip. Later, you were dropped. Why did it take you so long to secure a berth in the cabinet?

Life is full of ups and downs. When you go through difficult times, a lot of questions come to mind. I used to ask myself where I had gone wrong. But I realised God was testing me. I believe birth is an accident and death is the ultimate truth. I never give up in the face of adversity and would not do so even in future. I am an optimist.

Many believe that you were given the agriculture department by the party boss to counter your predecessor, Damodar Rout.

My association with the earth, farmers and agriculture is not just confined to my department but extends to the world outside too. I have done field work for three decades. I have been given the charge of the agriculture ministry due to my experience. Now, I am concentrating on making field visits and taking decisions on the spot rather than at the secretariat.

There is public perception that you were included in the ministry after mending fences with Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, the so-called second power centre of the Biju Janata Dal. Is this true?

This perception might be partially correct. There used to be some difference of opinion between Pyari babu and me, but that does not mean I respected him any less than other party leaders.

You are the owner of the biggest jatra party (mobile theatre) of the state. One of the shows, Good Morning Uncle, supposed to be a satire on Pyari, was a huge hit. How did you still manage to sort out your differences with him?

Keep digging into the mystery. The names of the jatra shows are supposed to be catchy to attract the attention of people. But please don't drag me into that controversy again. Let me live in peace. I have no more differences with Pyari babu.

How are your relations with Naveen?

Very good. Every morning, I present him with a small papaya from my vegetable garden. I am not able to sleep peacefully on days when I don't see him.

You have the image of a strong-arm politician. Many criminal cases are pending against you. Has this affected your popularity?

You are mistaken. Almost all the cases are about to be disposed of by the end of this month. The cases were lodged not because I am a thief or a dacoit or a pickpocket but due to the fact that I dared to raise my voice against the corrupt practices and inefficiency of the administration. I have been framed in all these cases.

Your constituency, Pipli, has been rocked by violence time and again.

There is nothing of the kind now. Earlier, mafia gangs used to operate from Pipli and when their dominance was questioned, it resulted in violence. But ever since my election as an MLA in 2000, there has not been any major law and order problem. If you go to a police station there, you will find policemen playing cards.

Man with a daring, bold attitude

Outspoken and assertive, 56-year-old Pradeep Maharathy was inducted into the cabinet in May as the minister for agriculture.

The five-time MLA from Pipli was elected to the state legislative Assembly for the first time in 1985.

Maharathy has done his graduation from SCS College, Puri. During his college career, he was drawn into students' politics after daring a bunch of goons who were harassing his college mates. Later, he was elected as the president of the college union. He was also arrested and sent to jail for 18 months under the Essential Service Maintenance Act during the Emergency.

After completing college, he was associated with farming. He contested for the Panchayat Samiti elections in Pipli but lost by a narrow margin.

His daring and bold attitude attracted the attention of legendary leader, Biju Patnaik, who offered him a Janata Dal ticket in 1985. Maharathy, thus, made his debut in the Assembly as the youngest MLA.

After the Naveen Patnaik-government came to power in 2000, he was made the government chief whip but was later dropped unceremoniously. He admits that he has been successful because of the active support and inspiration of his wife Prativa Maharathy, who is a professor and poet.

Maharathy is also the owner of the state’s biggest jatra troupe (mobile theatre group).

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

I would have been a farmer. I was very naughty as a kid and my father, being a man of principles, was, therefore, not very fond of me. As a result, I had to spend a major part of my childhood under the care of my grandmother and some of my aunts.

I don’t know what my parents would have wanted me to become in life because they never really expressed their expectations. But I know for a fact that they never wanted me to enter politics.

Since I am a politician now, my mother prefers to stay with my brothers and not with me.