Congratulations on winning the Bijepur Assembly seat. How was the your experience? 

It was a tough fight. But with chief minister Naveen Patnaik campaigning for me, I was certain of my victory. All credit goes to the chief minister. At the same time, I must express my gratitude to the people of Bijepur who had expressed their immense love and affection for me.

After winning the Assembly seat, you had called on the chief minister. What did he say? 

He categorically told me to relentlessly work for the people and ensure that Bijepur surges ahead on the path of development. I expressed my gratitude to him for standing behind me like a rock.

You took the oath as a member of the Assembly three days ago. What will be your agenda?

The main agenda is to fulfil the dreams of my husband for the people of the area.

The BJD says it is working to translate the dream of Biju babu. Now you are talking of fulfilling the dreams of your husband. What were those dreams? 

Water scarcity is the biggest problem in our area. People don’t get enough water to irrigate their land. I will try to ensure this problem is solved. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has already announced the Rs 1,200 crore Gangadhar Meher Irrigation Project. Once the project is implemented, the problem will be solved to a great extent. I will try to ensure that work on the project is expedited. Another issue is that of giving loans and honorary pension to weavers. The weavers in our area are facing a lot of problems.

Don’t you think that the announcement was an attempt to hoodwink the people and was made keeping the election in mind?

People know the Naveen Patnaik government's commitment to the cause of the people. Even though hundreds of attempts are being made to defame the government, it will not make any difference.

You are going to attend the budget session of the Assembly. Are you prepared for it? 

Yes. I was the wife of a three-time MLA. I am aware of the Assembly procedures and business. I used to help my husband in this regard. So I am aware of it. I am quite confident of doing well in the House. I will take up the issues plaguing Bijepur and work for the betterment of the people of my constituency.

Why did you join the BJD leaving the Congress, which had made your husband the three-time MLA?

The Congress had neglected us. My husband had made up his mind to fight the election in 2019 on a BJD ticket. He had also expressed his desire to us.

What are the things that  hurt you in the election?

The unprecedented violence during the election has hurt me. It was never witnessed in earlier elections. Scared of their defeat, the BJP people hurled chappals at the chief minister! It not only hurt me but agitated people across the state. All of them had forgotten that Naveen babu is the most popular and respected chief minister of the country. Anything done wrong will boomerang. Also, the way an attack was made on the brother of our leader and minister Sushant Singh and his men causing the death of his driver had shocked me.

Your husband was a three-time Congress MLA. But what was the reason for which the Congress had to forfeit its security deposit in this election?

Congress is no more a force there. The party used to win the seats because of the clean image and good work of my husband for the people. People used to cast their votes seeing the face of Subal Sahu and not the Congress party. So, when I joined the BJD, people stood behind my family. But at the same time, I want to add the BJP should admit its defeat. The people have shown them their place.

Why did you join mainstream politics? Instead, you could have asked one of your sons to join politics after the demise of your husband...

I was part of the election campaign team of my husband. I know many of his workers and followers. Besides, I have to complete the works started by my husband. At the same time, I want my kids to learn several things before joining politics.

Will you fight the 2019 general election?

Yes. There is no doubt about it. After the demise of my husband, I have decided to work for the people as long I am alive. Let us see what is there in store for me.

How do you manage your family now there is pressure on you to address public issues?

The entire family is with me and so is the party.  Being the wife of a three-time MLA, I have observed from close quarters how this is done. So, I am not facing any problems at the moment and I am quite confident.

There are allegations that you spent a lot of money to win the election…

Honestly, I did not know anything about the expenditure side. I have not spent a pie on this campaign. It's the people of Bijepur and the party that worked for me and took care of me.  The people have given the mandate seeing the Naveen Patnaik’s commitment and ongoing work for the development of the area.