• After a successful rally on Vedanta, Congress suddenly lost momentum and stopped raising the issue in the Assembly. Why?

It was a decision taken by the Congress Legislature Party, although I was not present.

But I have been resisting the Vedanta University Bill on the floor of the House right from Day One. We have decided to take up other issues such as farmer suicides.

• There have been allegations that the Vedanta group bribed you and others to stop campaigning against them. What’s your take on this?

I challenge those making the allegation to prove it. Pradeep Maharathi, an ambitious politician of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has made this allegation.

• The Congress also sought to use religion with its members visiting Jagannath temple in Puri to intensify the protests over Vedanta. What was the idea behind that?

We visited the temple because a part of the temple property was illegally handed over to the Anil Agrawal foundation. That,too, at a below par rate. Allotting temple land by bending the rules is unacceptable.

• The Congress in Orissa is often called as a leaderless party. What is your take on this?

Congress has always been a nursery of leaders. There are many in the party with leadership potential.

Individual identity does not matter much here. Congress is a national party unlike the ruling BJD.

• You are also in the race for the post of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief. Are you looking forwarding to it?

Everyone has ambitions. Even a saint aspires for salvation.

So, as a disciplined party worker, I am ready to take up any responsibility.

• It is alleged that you have been able to survive in Congress politics because of your closeness to the Congress High Command. What do you have to say on this?

I am an ordinary member of the Congress and enjoy the blessings of the High Command like any other party worker.

I was the general secretary of the national youth Congress and the All India National Students’ Union of India.

• Do you think you have been a victim of intra-party politics here?

I feel victimised. This could be because I never aligned with any of the party factions and sought to steer clear of controversies.

Hence, I have incurred the discontentment of faction leaders.

• But do you think anyone in the Congress is capable matching chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s charisma?

Naveen Patnaik’s political charisma is fading now. Earlier, he used be touchy about corruption reacting with aggression when charges were made. But now he is defensive about it.

Even people’s perception of Patnaik as an honest politician is changing.

• Is it true that you share friendly relations with senior BJD leaders like Naveen Patnaik and Pyari Mohan Mohapatra?

I have personal regard for both of them but I have not spoken to them for the last 10 years apart from our chance meetings on public occasions.

• What are your views on the proposed salary hike of MLAs?

I suggest a public consultation on this issue. It has to be reasonable and should be approved by the people.

• What’s your take on the ongoing tussle between bureaucrats and legislators?

Bureaucrats often behave arrogantly. At times, we also fail to conduct ourselves properly.

A healthy relationship should exist between the constitutional trinity of legislature, executive and judiciary.

Of speeches and rise to power

• Known for his oratory skills Prasad Harichandan, is the son of noted freedom fighter Fakir Mohan Harichandan of Puri district

• Harichandan, who actively participated in students’ politics during his college days, contested the Bhubaneswar Assembly seat unsuccessfully against legendary Biju Patnaik on a Congress ticket

• He tasted success in 1995 and went on to become a minister in 1999. Now, he is into his third term as an MLA

• He won the “Best Legislator of Orissa Legislative Assembly” award in 2002-03. During his student career he won the Chancellor Award, Utkal University in 1983-84. Harichandan played an important role in setting up the Institute of Mathematics and Applications (1999) and the Utkal University of Culture (1999)

• He was the minister of various departments such as Home, Science and Technology, and Culture. He also held the post of minister of state, culture and youth services for three months.

• He was the chairman of various committees including the Orissa Police Housing Corporation and Programme Committee, Indian Parliament Group, Orissa Chapter. He was also a member of more than a dozen Assembly committees including the member of the House Committee on Lord Jagannath.

what would you have been Had you not been a politician?

I would have been happy with a government job. But fate had other things in store for me. While pursuing the post graduation course in political science at Utkal University, I became the general secretary of state National Students’ Union of India and later took charge as its national general secretary. In 1990, I contested against Biju Patnaik. I knew I was fighting a losing battle, but that was a great way to begin my electoral career. My father’s contributions to society as a freedom fighter were also instrumental in shaping my thoughts.