Grandson of a patriarch, an exponent of Odishan renaissance and a luminary like Pt Godabarish Misra, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Pinaki Misra is bequeathed to a rich legacy of a family which is inextricably interwoven into the making of the political fabric and cultural mosaic of modern Odisha. Born and brought up under the nelson eyes of a caring father loknath Misra, who was a parliamentarian of repute and a quintessential epitome of the great Indian classical cultural tradition of excellence and ancient wisdom, Pinaki grew up to be reckoned as someone among the galaxy of legal luminaries in the country’s apex court today.
Success dawned upon him like stuffs of which dreams are made of. He opened up his innings in Parliament by being elected from the Puri lok Sabha constituency in 1996 and was reelected in 2009 and 2014 by decisive victories. He believes that law is a precursor of social change and a harbinger of an egalitarian and emancipated social order for which he has combined the two opposite professions for serving people. In an interview to The Pioneer, he spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on many vital issues.
How do you combine the two divergent professions, politics and legal practiceIJ
It’s very taxing physically. But it has to be done because law is my profession while politics is my passion, and I am not willing to shortchange either. The only casualty is my personal life. I have not had a decent break or a holiday in years! The moment I get free from courts, I am in the constituency; the moment I am through with constituency work, I am back in court. Fortunately, I have managed to juggle the two very successfully till date. But it is very taxing, because of which I am the only lok Sabha member who is in fulltime practice. Otherwise, only Rajya Sabha members have that luxury.
What’s your considered opinion regarding the abolition of collegiums system for selection of judgesIJ
It has been long overdue. It has become an opaque system, which has resulted in a great deal of incestuous in breeding. Too much nepotism was obtained. Merit has been a serious casualty. The Constitution framers never intended that only judges should appoint judges. It has resulted in a serious imbalance in the Constitutional framework, but the blame must lie with one effete and powerless executive and legislature for the past two decades.
What will be the future of the chit fund scam-tainted politiciansIJ
If and when convicted, they should rightly have a bleak future. Certainly in the BJD no scam-tainted politician has any future. It is against Naveen Patnaik’s DNA and his natural grain to tolerate corruption. His personal life is an outstanding example of rectitude and probity. I do not think there is a second example like his in India politics. The people of Odisha know instinctively that he is personally honest to the last bone in his body and, therefore, his fourth consecutive electoral victory. Whoever thinks it is a fluke should wake up and smell the coffee.
Why is the CM procrastinating in taking action against the errant leaders of his partyIJ
Naveen Patnaik is a master of timing. Timing is everything in politics and his sense of timing is peerless. His track record bears that out. There is no procrastination in his lexicon, only appropriate timing looking to all surrounding facts including proven guilt. Not just on the basis of gossip or rumour which is what Odisha thrives on, particularly the frustrated and discarded opposition politicians.
Once upon a time Naveen Patnaik was adjudged as the number one CM of the country while Narendra Modi was trailing behind. What catapulted Modi to be the PMIJ Can you analyse the situationsIJ
Naveenbabu continues to be a front-ranking Chief Minister. He has repeatedly said that he has no desire to engage in national politics. He is content to serve the people of Odisha and strive to make their lives better. Modiji had fierce national ambitions, so he went out and grabbed the national centre stage; good luck to him, we do not grudge him his success as long as that success doesn’t percolate to Odisha which it has not and won’t in future either.
While Bijubabu was prowling like a tiger in the Delhi corridors of power to get Odisha’s demands fulfilled, Naveenbabu appears docile. Will it cut any iceIJ
Both have contrasting styles. Just because Naveenbabu is soft spoken, it doesn’t mean he is not firm and resolute. Whoever has dealt with him personally knows that he has a steely resolve that remains unshakeable in all circumstances. Far from being docile, he is a formidable negotiator and a gritty adversary as hundreds who have been at the receiving end will ruefully vouchsafe.
How do you think the BJD will achieve a Special Category State status for OdishaIJ
By continued dialogue with the Centre which is being skillfully done currently. The Congress neglected Odisha’s just demands because they were annoyed with the people for continuously keeping them out of power in the State. They chose to cut their nose to spite their face. Hopefully, the BJP will show greater statesmanship and understanding of the ground reality regarding Odisha’s legitimate aspirations.
The holy ghost of Bijubabu still wields stronger in Odisha like the Ghost of Caesar in ancient Rome. Who do you think may substitute Naveen in the days aheadIJ
Naveenbabu has built on Bijubabu’s legendary cult status admirably. He has far surpassed any Odia politician in electoral terms and is now poised to match national records. His health parameters are perfect; his vital medical statistics are better than yours or mine. His mind remains sharp and focused as ever. We are looking for him to lead us to victory for a record fifth time in 2019. The people of Odisha love him and that love is the elixir of life for him.
What are the things on your agenda to place Puri, your constituency, in the international tourist mapIJ
The party has given me the privilege of heading the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Development. There are a number of exciting projects that are being conceived and which I hope to execute in the next five years for Puri and Odisha. There are too many in number to elaborate here, but you will see the results soon including a very successful conducting of the Nabakalebar festival in 2015 which will highlight Odisha and Puri nationally and internationally.