Niranjan Patnaik continues as president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee. Despite the clamour of dissidents for a change, the party high command in its wisdom has not bothered to replace this old Trojan horse. He makes whirlwind tours of the State at a time when the party is at its lowest ebb and strains his every nerve in rejuvenating the party rank and file.
In 1980, Patnaik had opened his first innings as an MLA from the Ramachandrapur constituency and became a Minister till 1985. From 1985 to 1990 also, he was a Minister. Again from 1995 to 2000, he was a Minister. All along, he held important portfolios. He was also elected from 2004 to 2009 from Ramachandrapur.
An incisive thinker and an astute politician like JB Patnaik inducted him into his Ministry in 1980 not because of his family ties but owing to his political acumen and perceptibility.
As Irrigation Minister, he transformed the hitherto somnolent irrigation potential of the State by toning up the entire system. He turned small industries into large ones to fulfil the aspirations of youths when he was Industries Minister. As the Minister for Health, he opened hundreds of hospitals across the State to make health services reach the poor. In an interview to The Pioneer, Patnaik spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on many issues concerning the present political scenario in the State and in the country.
The Congress’ performance in the State today is at its lowest ebb. What’s your opinion about it?
You are right. As of now, whatever bye-elections have been held, we are at the third position. Earlier, we were at the second position, not pushed to the third. Our percentage of votes has no doubt decreased. Be that as it may, we are trying to have honest introspection and are determined that the Congress must improve in days ahead.
The Congress has now cut a sorry figure at the pan-India level. What do you think could be done to revive the party at a time when Modi’s popularity is on rise?
Whatever has happened during the last seven years, you can see it is indeed no real development for our country. All that we can see by shorten political party is that there are only publicities, promises and Pratarana (deception). The Central Government has failed in all fronts, be it employment, GST, farmer issue or even in the finance scenario like demonetization, etc. etc. They are diverting the public opinion by creating an unending bag of tricks. The people are simple deceived hoodwinked. All that our people need to know and understand is about our Constitution, which is the best one our country has adopted. The Constitutional framework should be preserved and protected. It is sacrosanct for any political party.
The Congress has worked within this Constitutional framework for the larger benefit of the people. There were many developments since the time of Nehru; and whether it was fighting against the poverty during Indiraji or thinking of a modern vibrant India from the time of Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress has taken a giant leap for the entire nation.
Whatever good work has been done so far was during the Congress rule of the country. For example, our country was importing food grains by signing PL 480, but today the nation is surplus in the food sector, Whose plan was it? Whether it is foreign policy, home affairs or economic affairs, all that is substantial has been achieved during the Congress rule.
The ideology or the policy the Congress has adopted is always beneficial for our country and countrymen. Diverting public attention from the main issues and playing on sentimental issues, a political party cannot run for a longer period of time.
Ashok Gehlot is making an attempt to bring back Rahul Gandhi as AICC president. How do you look at it?
There is nothing wrong in Rahul Gandhi becoming AICC chief. He had resigned as the Congress did not do well (in elections). If he is willing, he can wear the mantle once again that would also be an act to inspire younger generation to the Congress fold.
Some Congress veterans want a non-Gandhi at the top of the party. What’s your response?
If you analyse the history of Congress, you can see there has had been many non-Gandhi family members at the top. There is nothing new in it. I think the party will take a right decision as per the need of the hour and as per the requirement of the nation.
How do you think to come to power in 2024 against the overwhelming popularity of Naveen Patnaik?
I do not find any reason why Odisha should be on the back foot despite its natural resources. There is no real development today in Odisha. Farmers are not in good condition; education is in doldrums; women atrocities are on the rise. Only cheap popularity by resorting to cheap measures to bamboozle the gullible masses is adopted by both BJP and BJD.
What’s your observation about the State’s law and order situation?
It has come to a terrible situation. Criminals have now their field day. More than 23,000 cases of crime against women have been reported. More than 5,000 children have been abducted; and till now, 4,000 children are not even traceable. Six children in a family have been murdered. You can see this is the statistics. Where is the law and order then in our State?
What are the plans on your party’s agenda to catapult it to power again?
It is an admitted fact our party has been weakened at the grassroots level. We the so called leaders are not trying to reinvigorate the party by contacting people at the grassroots by convincing them on the right issues and by establishing rapport with them for gaining their support. Look, the way the BJD Government is pulling the State down by every passing day and the promises of the BJP are not coming true.
This is a critical juncture in the State when the Congress rank and file should put their all-out efforts to bring the party to power. I am sure that the situation of the Congress will improve if we amend our ways.