She is charming, witty and vivacious exuding an air of robust optimism and confidence. Armed with a camera, as we approached to her office at Nayapally, we saw her preparing her itinerary for the remaining days of the week being surrounded by bustling party workers. Born to parents late Kusum Mishra and Ajit Mishra, in 1969, she had her schooling in a convent school and later on completed her graduation with English literature honors from reputed SM College under the Bhagalpur University. “I have never ever stood second in my educational career starting from my school days to my college period,” she told recollecting the silvery threads of her golden days. Her father was a professor of English literature while her mother was a schoolteacher. “I was the best actress of my college and the best debater for three consecutive years as well besides being the president of the college union.”. It was a case of veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered) for Aparajita (literally meaning the unconquerable), who climbed to the IAS ladder by coming in flying colours in the examination in her first innings. “My Husband Santosh Sarangi, an IAS officer, and my two children are the pillars of strength inspiring me too in my new endavour,” Aparajita Sarangi told while giving an idea on her new mission. She was Collector of four districts of Odisha. She was the Municipal Commissioner of BMC for three years. She was also the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of School and Mass Education Department, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Textiles & Handlooms, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education. On a deputation, she also left an indelible imprint while discharging her duties as Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India by handling MGNREGA even to the satisfaction of PM Modi himself. Her joining the BJP bandwagon in November 2018 was not only welcomed by party president Amit Shaw but also she was cheered by the BJP rank and file generating a wave of euphoria further boosting the morale of Odisha party workers. In an interview to The Pioneer, Sarangi spoke to Sugyan Choudhury on various issues relating to her political career.
You have done exceedingly well as an administrator. Could you please then justify your transition to politics?
After putting 24 years of service in the IAS, I decided to swift to politics and public life. There are reasons for the same. I was Joint Secretary to Government of India Ministry of RD when I was handling MGNREGA. There was Rs 55,000-crore budget for it annually. I was handling the same and I have visited 25 States and 450 districts of our country while administering the programme. I have come in contact with various State representatives, discussed with them, interacted with our people and got the rare opportunity witnessing the poverty of rural India. I found Odisha still languishing as a backward State and I wondered why should Odisha remain in poverty amidst nature’s plenty. I decided to work for the people of Odisha in order to remove backwardness from the State. Besides, I felt politics shall provide me a larger canvass to work for the people. Honestly speaking, I was also deeply impressed by the working style of our PM Modiji. He is a very hardworking person and believes in transparency. He is also possessed with a strong commitment and determination. That was a point of inspiration for me to join politics and remain with the people and work for the people of Odisha. Let me tell you I have come to politics to render services to the people after having abandoned 11 more years of my services in the IAS.
You had been working for quite a long time in Odisha. What was it that failed to attract you towards Naveen Patnaik’s BJD?
Indeed, that is a very good question you have asked. In fact, I have worked as district Collector in four districts and I was also given the charge of many responsible departments as Commissioner-cum-Secretary in two major departments, as Director Mission Shakti, as BMC Commissioner and the like. I was deeply satisfied as an IAS officer while working in our State. But then, I was greatly impressed by that personality of our PM Modiji with whom I have worked closely while working for the RD Ministry. Modiji’s working style is amazing. He has the honesty and integrity of Lalbahadur Shastri, the courage and conviction of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the spirituality of MK Gandhi. That is why I look upon him as my mentor and my model. With due respect to our CM, I never derived that sort of inspiration from Naveen Patnaikji.
How far this euphoria will continue in your new avatar?
God willing, I have come here for the last 25 to 30 years. I am now looking forward to my new career that I have chosen for the people of Odisha. I am a highly positive person and that is one of the basics tenets of my personality. I have quit my 11 years of service to serve the people of the State. I have no reasons to believe and think in a negative way. Frankly speaking, I have passed 50 days in the BJP, but I am exceedingly happy the way things move in the BJP in Odisha. I have no reasons to entertain any negative thoughts at this stage.
Do you believe that in the 2019 elections Amit Shah’s magic number 120+ will be a reality in Odisha?
Honestly speaking, our party workers are putting their very best at the ground zero level. There is a lot of enthusiasm and confidence among them. The party is also working on good strategy. I don’t think why we can’t be able to reach the number. In my 50 days in BJP, I have covered 40 villages and 15 wards of BMC and I have been meeting and interacting with our workers and the general public every now and then. They are very confident. I must say God willing all winds shall bring rains for BJP in the 2019 general elections.
Do you think that BJP will come to power at the Centre again? How will BJP overcome Mahagathabandhan and other alliances like Mayawati-Akhilesh combine and again the Mamata Banerjee factor?
Certainly, PM Modi shall also come back riding to power once again in 2019. How do you compare Modiji with all those people who are a confused lot and are united having no agenda and no leader to lead them?
Do you believe Priyanka’s entry to politics shall pose a threat to BJP?
Not at all; her entry shall have no impact.
From which Assembly or Parliamentary seat you are going to contest?(Haa haa….). That is the decision of the party. As a disciplined officer in the IAS, I have completed my service period. As an ordinary worker of the party, I am even more disciplined and whatever the party will decide I have to accept and act accordingly.
Many say you may be the CM candidate of your party if your party comes to power?
At this juncture, this sort of observation is highly irrelevant. I am only a student of standard one in politics.
Which tag you would like to carry with your name “Angakanya” (daughter of Bihar) or “Kalingabadhu” (daughter-in-law of Kalinga)?
I am both. But I would like to remind you that after marriage when a girl comes to her Sashsu Ghar, she never looks back and starts setting the Sashsu Ghar in order. I find my Sashsu Ghar in a state of disarray; that’s why I have now started setting my Sashasu Ghar and its people in order to reap a reach bonanza in days ahead. After joining BJP,I have offered my prayers at “Maa Mangala Temple “ at Kakatpur; and then being divinely ordained by the presiding deity, I have had the Darshan of Lord Jagannath and now I look ahead on my mission.
Do you believe your transformation as an “Odiani” has been completed?
What do you think of me? I am a “Khanti Odiani”. Ask me anything on Odia culture, tradition and about festivals, I can instantly answer you to your satisfaction.