New Odisha minder of the Congress Jitendra Singh feels that the BJP will not be able to expand base in more states as Narendra Modi's popularity is on the decline. In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Singh also ruled out any tie-up with the BJD. Excerpts:

• The Congress has been out of power in Odisha since 1999. How do you plan to revive the party?

We will have to rebuild the organisation at the grassroots; recognise talents and raise a new leadership. We are determined to do this.

• But the exodus from the party continues. Senior leaders and many district presidents have left the Congress recently. The party is so badly faction-ridden. There is no unity of purpose for such a long time, almost two decades...

This is largely true. Factionalism and exodus happen because individuals and groups feel they have not been given political space due to them. We have to respect ordinary workers and convince the leaders of their utility. I am talking to a cross-section of leaders from the state and they are willing to work collectively to revive the party. Under the leadership of Rahul ji, everybody will be judged on merit and work.

Q: Will there be a change of leadership in the state?

A: Can't say now.

Q: Hasn't the BJP already replaced the Congress as the main Opposition there? The Congress is already the third party, sitting on the fringe as the BJP emerged as the main challenger to the BJD...

A: The BJP cannot do that anymore. Even at the peak of Narendra Modi's popularity in 2014, our vote-share in both Assembly and Lok Sabha was significantly higher than the BJP's. Now, the BJP is on decline as people across the country have seen through the false promises made by Modiji. There is no hope for "achhe din", every section of the society has fallen on bad days. The BJP had made an impact with huge resources at their command, but money alone cannot build political fortunes. The people of Odisha have seen Congress rule. All the development that the state is benefiting from had happened during our regime. Even the BJD has not done anything for Odisha. The people of Odisha also have a special affinity for the Gandhi family.

Q: How do you plan to counter the rising tide of the BJP?

A: The only way is to give voice to the ordinary people's concerns, to fight for their welfare. I am now looking after the state from the mindset of an ordinary worker. I have been a district president in Rajasthan for long. I am not going to allow Bhubaneswar-centric politics. I am going to the districts, blocks and villages. That's where the operational machinery of the party should be. Our leaders will have to connect with the people.

Q: But that's the long-term struggle plan. What about the immediate task of 2019 elections?

A: The plan cannot be different from connecting with the people and creating a leadership that fights for citizens' welfare. This is the only way forward. Once people are convinced that the Congress is serious and is fighting together with a purpose, the revival process will naturally start.

Q: No short-term survival project, like alliance or tacit understanding with the BJD?

A: No, no...no question of that. We consider the BJD responsible for keeping Odisha backward in terms of development. We have to oust them from power.