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There was a controversy recently over rumours that you had resigned as an MLA on state government's decision to set up IIM in Bhubaneswar rather than in Sambalpur. Later, you came out with a clarification. Don't you think it was conspiracy hatched against you?
(pauses) There is a dissident group in each party. On the issue of IIM, someone had sent a text message to the public and the press and to a section of BJD leaders that I had resigned. Let me be very specific. If need be I will directly go to the press and to my leader to communicate my decision instead of sending an SMS. I don't want to name the people who did it, but they wanted to blackmail me and defame me in public eye. But people know who I am and why I joined politics.
Have you taken up the issue with your party president and chief minister?
No. The party people know me. A police complaint was lodged and the person concerned has already been caught. He is a member of our party. He has already named the person on whose instigation he did it. The people of my area have been hurt more than me.
West Odisha is boiling over the issue of IIM being set up in Bhubaneswar. Being a ruling party member, you must be feeling awkward at this moment?
As a people's representative, I would have preferred if the decision regarding setting up IIM was taken in favour of Sambalpur. However, the criteria set by the Centre like the institute should be located within one-hour distance from an airport has left the state government with no other choice than to vote for Bhubaneswar.
Many people from west Odisha are disappointed with the government over the delay in setting up of a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in their region. How do you respond to it?
The state government has already written letters to the Centre to set up the permanent bench of the high court in west Odisha. Now, it’s the central government's responsibility to take a call on the location of the bench.
The state government has suggested a place regarding setting up of the IIM. Why is it not doing the same in the case of HC bench?
There is absolutely no controversy regarding the issue of setting up the IIM since the Centre has already laid down the guidelines. The high court issue is something different. The Centre will declare the location of the high court bench and the state will abide by the decision.
Your government has been in power for the last 15 years, but it has failed to shift the headquarters of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) out of Bhubaneswar. Why is it so?
We are working on it and will certainly shift it.
There is a growing demand for Koshal state. How do you respond to it?
I am against the creation of smaller states. However, such demands only crop up when there is lopsided development. Efforts should be made to ensure equal development in all parts of the state.
Being a woman MLA yourself, you must be feeling ashamed the way a minister passed obscene remarks at BJP MLA Radharani Panda!
Unparliamentary language shouldn’t be used in the House. The incident happened between the two individuals after the House was adjourned. The minister was telling something to the member. Suddenly, it took an ugly turn with political overtones. It was actually between the two of them.
In fact, they are good friends. Panda used to praise Maharathy like anything as he had done a lot of work on her request in her constituency Brajaraj Nagar. Maharathy had already apologised to her. The issue has come to an end.
For nearly seven days the Assembly transacted virtually no business. How do you see it?
It is really disgusting. People’s problems should be taken up.
lBut one is surprised to notice that it is ruling party members who have been stalling the proceedings of the House.
Both the Opposition and the ruling party members are responsible for the smooth conduct of the House. When the CBI is inquiring into the deposit collection scam and the case is in the court, the Opposition should not create pandemonium over this issue. When they did it, the ruling party members reacted to it. House can only run if all co-operate.
The CBI has intensified its probe into the money deposit collection scam. A number of your party leaders has also been arrested. It must have dented the image of your party supremo Naveen Patnaik. Hasn’t your perception about the party changed with the surfacing of a number of scams?
Naveen babu is a clean leader. If I do anything wrong, how can the leader be responsible? Whatever the party leaders have done, they have done it at an individual level. The leader should not be blamed for it. Ours is a big party. It is very difficult to screen all the members. If something wrong happens and comes to our leader’s notice, he takes immediate action.
But the CBI has already interrogated Saroj Sahu, a personal aide to the CM. How can you say your party’s leader is clean and has nothing to do when Sahu has amassed huge wealth?
He is a mere typist. Actually, he was doing office work. He was called to the CBI office as somebody named him. The chief minister is no way linked with him. About amassing of wealth, it should be proved first.
Is it true that no one can enter Naveen Nivas without his permission?
Naveen Nivas is open to all people, including politicians, legislators and even the opposition members.
Do you feel that the ongoing CBI inquiry into the money deposit collection scam is politically motivated?
The inquiry is on, but what is the result? They must come out with something concrete. People are already fed up at being summoned to the CBI office frequently. Something concrete must come out. Whoever has committed mistakes must be punished and people should know about it.
You have been an MLA for the last six months and already attended Assembly sessions. How do you find this job compared to your medical profession?
(smiles) The job here is very tough. You have to depend on a lot of people to get your work done. When things are not done according to my wishes, I feel disappointed. To be honest, sometimes, I feel suffocated.
You are a doctor by profession. Why did you quit such a noble profession and join politics?
I have not left my job. Whenever I find time, I am seeing patients. Earlier, I used to take fees, but now I treat for free. As far as joining politics is concerned, it was a sort of emotional blackmail by people who love me. For the last three terms, the people in Sambalpur had voted for someone from the BJP.
But there was virtually no development happened. This time there was a chance that he might come again. People of Sambalpur approached me and asked me to contest saying that since I had already done a lot for the society, I should try my luck in politics. At that time, I was not very interested, but I had to succumb to their wishes.
Your brother Sriballava Panigrahi is a senior Congress leader. Why didn't you join Congress?
I was not in a mood to join politics. When an offer came my way, my close associates suggested me to join the BJD as working for the society would be easier if I became a ruling party MLA.
I have also been attracted by the progressive and clean image of Naveen. We have seen the Congress. It is not what it was in the past.
From doctor to MLA
A known gynaecologist, Raseswari Panigrahi did her matriculation from Ispat Vidyalaya, Rourkela, and joined the GM College, Sambalpur.
Later, she qualified for the MBBS and studied at VSS Medical College in Burla.
She joined the Odisha Medical Service in 1972 and was posted in the Sundargarh district headquarters hospital.
Later, she joined the medical college where she served till her retirement.
Though her elder brother is a known Congress leader, she was motivated by Naveen and joined the BJD.
She is a spinster and has dedicated her life to the cause of the society.
What would you have been had you not been a DOCTOR?
Since my childhood days, I had wished to be a doctor and I became one. There was no second thought. I was a good student and did well in all my examinations. My parents had also encouraged me to pursue the career of a doctor. I had never thought of joining politics.
