You recently said that you would not contest the 2014 general elections. Is it your final decision?

People enter politics to do some good work for the people and the state. If we can’t do that, what is the point in staying in electoral politics? My opinion may be biased, but I really feel that the present leadership in Odisha cannot do anything good for the people of this state.

During Hemananda Biswal’s rule (when he replaced the then chief Minister Giridhar Gamang in 1999), you had said you would not be a part of his ministry but then you did. Is there a chance you will reconsider your decision now?

When Hemananda Babu became chief minister for the second time, I joined his ministry for three to four months. At that time, he was an experienced leader. However, I will not contest assembly elections under the leadership of present PCC president Jaydev Jena.

You are 68. Won’t you be staring at a bleak future if you bid adieu to politics now?

No, my future is bright. The purpose of being in politics goes beyond becoming an MLA or MP. I will chalk out a national charter and work on making the state prosperous. I will go door-to-door to raise consciousness among people to become self-dependent. If we do not follow the footsteps of Gopabandhu Das and Madhusudan Das, we will wallow in poverty forever. Over the years, political parties have only deceived the people.

You are also part of the political system. Have you not deceived the people?

I don’t deny that. All of us, irrespective of our political affiliations, are responsible for the misery of the people. Unlike other states, we have failed to reap the benefits of Central funds in the last decade or so and are now the poorest in the country. All parties are to blame.

How exactly is Congress responsible for the state’s poor economy when it has been out of power for almost 15 years now?

Our economy has not worsened overnight. Congress also ruled the state for a long time. But after 65 years of Independence, we have not achieved anything except self-sufficiency in paddy production. Progress will not come just by signing MoUs with industries. Will steel feed our hungry population? Haryana and Punjab don’t have any steel plant and yet their per capita income is higher than ours. Their advantage lies in high agricultural production. When I was a minister in the ’80s, I took up many irrigation projects but they have not been completed till now.

Do you stand by your views that the state Congress led by Jaydev Jena is a weak party?

If you are really sick, can you say that you are not unwell? You can only strive to become healthier and stronger. But how can we claim to be healthy when we are losing all elections?

Do you think Congress would have been able to defeat BJD under your leadership?

I don’t know how things would have turned out but I was working in that direction. Jaydev babu might be trying too and I hope Congress comes back to power. But the kind of demoralising things people are saying, it really seems far-fetched now.

Do you realise that your statements against the Congress might result in your ouster from the party?

If I am ousted from the party for trying to do good for the people and the state, then I am ready for it.

Your younger brother Soumya Ranjan Patnaik was recently ousted from Congress for “anti-party activities” and the buzz is you will also be shown the door soon, especially since you are making explosive statements on each and every issue…

What is explosive? I just want to sensitise people. He (Soumya Ranjan) is a politically conscious citizen. The way the Congress treated him was unfortunate. He is committed to work for the development of the state. If his attempt to strengthen the party is seen in a negative light, how will he do politics? I had also encouraged him to organise the sankalp rally. Now I am honestly working for the people and if it is not acceptable to the party, I am ready to face action.

It is perceived that there is a sustained effort to wipe out the Patnaik family from Congress politics…

Those who are saying this have either jobless or have lost their mind.

Will you join Soumya Ranjan’s Ama Odisha rally?

I have never attended any of his rallies. If he invites me, I will take a call on it.

The present Congress leadership has decided to target the BJD on the mining issue…

See, hypocrisy has no place in politics. There are many politicians across parties who are funded by the mining mafia. They will be exposed gradually. If they deny this, let them stand before Lord Jagannath in the Puri temple and swear by it. People are becoming aware of this double-faced nature of political leaders. I have repeatedly said that there should be a CBI inquiry into the mining scam. If my family members are involved in illegal mining, action should be initiated against them first.

Many non-Congress persons, particularly those from Janata Dal, are said to be trying to exercise a lot of influence in the Congress? Do you agree?

In politics, everyone tries to climb the ladder. But if one works selfishly, it will lead to not just their downfall but also of their party.

Will you contest the parliamentary elections?

I will decide as and when I get the opportunity.

How do you view politics?

It is the most sacred yet most difficult field. To remain in politics, one has to make big sacrifices. However, the traditional political values are gradually eroding. Good people are staying away from politics.

Whom would you rate as the best chief minister of Odisha so far?

Nabakrushna Choudhury was the most honest chief minister. Freedom fighters and poets, Madhusudan Das and Gopabandhu Das are also my idols. Many others have indulged in false propaganda by blowing their own trumpet and installing their statues. But there was no honesty in them. Can Naveen (Patnaik) babu put his hand on his heart and say that he is free from corruption? Is his party not exploiting the people? They know best what they are doing. People also know what they are up to.

Then why have people elected Naveen to power for three terms?

That is the tragedy. They are taking money to fight elections and the Opposition parties have failed to expose them.