After your party’s decade-long alliance with the BJD was severed on the eve of the 2009 elections, the BJP had managed to win six Assembly seats in the last elections. But this time, there was a Narendra Modi wave across the country, but the party could win only 10 Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat. Your party's performance in the state has not been impressive at all considering the fact that the party had ruled the state for 10 years and has a support base.

It's not correct to say that the Modi wave did not sweep the voting trend in Odisha. It has, indeed, influenced the voting pattern. Look at the percentage of votes. Our vote share has increased from 29 lakh in 2009 to 46 lakh in 2014. Apart from the vote share, the performance of BJP is far better as compared to 2009. We have finished second in nine Lok Sabha seats. The Modi wave was there but due to the simultaneous elections, perhaps the result was not according to our expectations. We are reviewing our performance.

Of the six BJP MLAs elected in 2009, you are the only one to make a come back to the state Assembly. It seems your MLAs failed to nurture their constituencies properly.

Let me make it clear. We have the Khariar MLA with us. In fact, outgoing Khariar MLA Hitesh Bagarti was given the party ticket to contest the Assembly poll. He decided not to contest and instead requested that the ticket be given to Duryodhan Majhi and he (Majhi) was elected from the Khariar Assembly segment. That way, we have retained two of our old seats. In other seats, we lost by narrow margins. I am thankful to the people that they have reposed their faith in me for the fifth time on a row. The elections from place to place differ and there are many factors behind it. When you are in the Opposition, its tough to come back to power again.

You are saying that there was a Modi wave but your party failed to capitalise on it: Does not it reflect the party's organisational weakness?

It's not correct to say that there are weaknesses in the party structure. In 2009, the alliance broke a few months before the election. As it had an alliance with BJD for 10 years, the BJP had not fielded candidates in many constituencies (allotted to the BJD). Because of the alliance, the cadres too switched sides. The media, for the last five years, kept on saying that the BJD and BJP might come together again and forge an alliance. We kept on reiterating that there would be no alliance. We proved to be correct and there was no alliance. The cadres, however, were left confused till the last moment. And that reflected in the results.

In nine Lok Sabha and 35 Assembly seats, you finished second. If you have had right organisational set up, you could have made it.

Yes. In nine Lok Sabha and 35 assembly Seats, we came second. Besides, in nearly 15 Assembly seats, we have secured more than 25,000 votes. Earlier, it was a three cornered contest. This time, there was a multi-cornered contest. There was the Aam Admi Party (AAP) and others too. Everybody has eaten into the votes.

Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM) president Pyari Mohan Mohapatra has said that the BJP did not come forward for a grand alliance and it has paid the price. Because of the split of votes, the BJD has been able to win more than 100 seats. Is it not true?

(Pauses) Look, we had always said in the past that that there was no question of an alliance or having any seat adjustment with any one. The BJP had made up its mind that that it would go alone so that in future the party can come to power on its own. The parties that argued for an alliance have also not been able to much difference in the state politics.

BJD has now clarified that that it would have a positive approach towards the Modi-led government and extend issue-based support in the national and state's interests. Does it indicate that the two parties are coming together?

(Smiles) After all, they have to run a state government. Without the support of Centre, they can't run an effective government. They cannot cry hoarse that the Centre is neglecting the state as Prime Minister Naredra Modi has reached out to all the chief ministers of the country, sought their co-operation and urged them to join hands in the development of the country as well as the state.

Does the BJD's soft stand indicate that the BJP may go for an alliance with the ruling party in the state in future? If that happens, you will face an awkward position. (Singh Deo had vehemently opposed any alliance with the BJD)

There is no question of having an alliance with the BJD. My stand has been the same since 2009 and even now, after 2014 election, it remains the same. It does not change from day to day. And, if you look at the Centre, the BJP does not require the support of any other party. The party had made pre-poll alliances with others parties and our alliance partners have been given representations in the Union ministry.

At the same time, the BJP has reached out to all states, whether it is ruled by the BJP, Congress, AIIDMK, Trinamul Congress or any one. The message is clear - if you want to join hands for development, you are most welcome.

The BJP national unit has remained non-committal on granting a special category state status to Odisha. But the BJP state unit's manifesto speaks of a special category status for Odisha. In the changing scenario, what would be your stand?

The central government has categorically stated that Odisha does not qualify for a special category state. The BJP remains committed to the people of the state and the development of Odisha. If you have a vision, you don't require a special category status for the development of the state. You see, the funds that have come for the tribal sub-plan areas, were utilised for construction of a flyover and bridges in the capital. The media is also well aware of it. The money that has come to fight against Maoists, has been used to air-condition police stations and buy cars.

The state government is taking credit for all the central government schemes - be it the 108 ambulance scheme - or any other. On one hand you are trying to showcase all the central government schemes as state government ones and on the other hand, you criticise the Centre. It can no longer be the same.

Earlier, the Centre depended on the BJD. That is why the UPA was soft towards the party. But this time, NDA government will not allow it. Now you have a strong government at the Centre and the BJD will not be allowed to do such wrong.

What would be your stand on the multi-purpose Polavaram Project now that the Centre is backing it?

We are committed to the state's stand. The matter is sub-judice. The matter will be resolved at the highest level.

The BJP has made two ministers from the state (Jual Oram and Bihar Rajya Sabha member Dharmendra Pradhan) even though the state had elected one MP (Oram). Does it indicate that the BJP has greater plans for the state in the coming days?

Definitely. Why should not the BJP try? The BJP will certainly try to capitalise on the situation now. The BJD's-issue based support to the BJP-led government at the Centre is also a step in this direction. The BJD is scared of the BJP's growth and there is a fear that BJP will eat into BJD's vote bank in future.

Despite a sustained campaign against Naveen Patnaik, he has come back to power for the fourth time in a row. What are the reasons? Do you think the opposition parties failed?

The Opposition parties have not failed. Naveen babu has been able to market himself better than us. I would like to say that it's brand marketing. He has been able to do that effectively. We were unable to contain it.

Don't you think Naveen deserves credit for improving Odisha's economy? From a deficit state, the state now has a surplus finance.

Let me remind you that when he took charge in 2000, the state coffers were empty. Employees used to get salary once in two months. But the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee intervened and provided financial assistance to Odisha, helping us tide over the crisis. He had also taught Naveen the tricks of politics. Vajpayee was shocked when Naveen severed his party's alliance with the BJP.