Clad in his usual crimson robes befitting the order of an Indian recluse, armed with rabble rousing rhetoric’s breathing fire and brimstone in public meetings, a maestro in the art of haranguing the BJD rank and file; Dr Prasanna Kumar Patasani is still a crowd catcher among the rural masses in Odisha. He has proved as an asset for his party as he possesses the depth of an academician and the whirlwind mobility of a politician. Elected four times as an MlA, he was also a member of the 12th, 13th, 14th 15th and 16th lok Sabha representing the Bhubaneswar constituency. He is also a BJD vice-president. Dr Patasani has published 60 books to his credit in different languages and written many articles in journals and newspapers besides writing and acting for movies. His speech at the Oxford University on "The future of human civilisation" brought him high acclaim. A globetrotter to spread yoga at the behest of his guru late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Patasani has travelled over hundred countries. A loyalist to Biju Patnaik, he eulogises Naveen Patnaik for his immense contributions for the development of the State. In his characteristics way, he dismisses the idea that Naveen shall not join a 3rd front as its leader as he is committed to fulfil the unfulfilled dreams of his father Bijubabu for Odisha. In an interview to The Pioneer, Patasani spoke to Sugyan Choudhury expressing his confidence that Naveen Patnaik shall emerge stronger once again in the forthcoming election in 2019 by maintaining a safe distance from both the Congress and the BJP.
Do you think that in the 2019 elections the BJD will come to power againIJ
Sure. The reason is simple and as clear as the broad daylight. There is no substitute of Naveen Patnaikji. He is not only rated as the numero uno Chief Minister of the country but also the number one administrator of the country as per the collective wisdom of a front ranking journal ‘The Outlook’. Commitment is the key to success and Pattnaikji has kept his commitments to the people of our State. Under his able stewardship, Bhubaneswar has emerged the number one Smart City of India. Besides, he belongs to a high heritage and has inherited the missionary zeal of his father Bijubabu to raise the head of Odisha higher among all States.
What were the great qualities of Bijubabu that you have rememberedIJ
The tale of greatness of Bijubabu is too long to be narrated here. But his greatest contribution was that he directly landed his plane on the Pak-occupied Kashmir territory inspiring our Army and saving the country through his act of daredevilry. Bijubabu had taught Naveenji that ‘Ye Zameen hamara hai, ye miti hamara hai’. That is how Naveenji came to Odisha to serve the State. No wonder then, he has won for the fourth time conquering the hearts of the millions of poor, downtrodden rural masses. His opponents are talking against him through the electronic media day in and day out but to no avail. Naveenji is neither elevated by honour nor depressed by ignominy. He believes in hard work to catapult Odisha to a still higher growth trajectory.
What’s your response to the remarks of Naveenbabu’s opponents that he has a terrible distaste for Odia language and cultureIJ
language is no barrier. The predecessors of Naveenji were great Pandits in Odia language, but they could not have done much as he has done for the Odia language. Barring the solitary exception of late Nabakrushna Choudhury, Naveenji is the next Chief Minister who took steps to change the name of ‘Orissa’ to ‘Odisha’. As a lover of Odia language and as a respect to Odisha, he has done away with the nomenclature ‘Orissa’ which was a colonial hangover. Besides, he is the first Chief Minister, who has cleared the decks for establishment of an Odia University in order to promote the richness of Odia language, literature and culture. Who do you give credit thenIJ The ones, the glorious predecessors who were Pandits in Odia language but did trifle little to promote the language or to the other CM, who has contributed his proud heart for promoting Odia language by resorting to exemplary steps like opening an Odia UniversityIJ I shall give you another example. Everyone from Delhi to Bhubaneswar is talking big about women education. As you know, there is only a small Women University in Mumbai. Naveenbabu opened up a second one in the country called Ramadevi University. On the whole, Naveen Patnaik is going to set up an Odia University next only to a Hindi University at Wardha which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi; and as I told you now, he has opened up the Ramadevi Women University for promoting women education in the State. It is not out of context to mention here that Bijubabu did set up for the first time in our country a culture university, the Utkal University of Culture. The story behind it is that once he called me ‘Prasanna, there is no university of culture in the country; how to go ahead with such a programmeIJ’ I immediately retorted ‘Sir, have you ever been to CambodiaIJ’ Yes, he replied. ‘Have you seen that temple of AngkorbhattIJ’ ‘Yes, he said. I told him that it is not Angkorbhatt; it was Omkarbhatt of Puri, Shreemandir who migrated to Cambodia and a temple was built in his hallowed memory. The art and architecture of the temple are all by Odia artists. Bijubabu visited Cambodia again, and on his return declared opening of a culture university. This is how Bijubabu and his son have care and concern for Odia culture and language, the rubbish opinions of their adversaries notwithstanding.
Do you think the BJD will make alliance with any other party in the next electionsIJ
There is no need of alliance again. Naveen Patnaik is not opposing the Congress; on the other hand, the Congress is opposing him. likewise, Naveenji is not opposing the BJP; on the contrary, the BJP is opposing him. He has maintained equal distance from both the parties. Naveenbabu has proved that the people have decided to swim and sink together with him. The possibility of any alliance, though remote, shall be decided by the BJD supremo if needed.
Is Naveenbabu going to take a lead in the third front in case it happens into a realityIJ
Naveenbabu had already rejected similar kinds of offer during the NDA regime. Similarly, as far as we know, he is not desirous of taking any such lead in case of a third front so formed although he is eminently suitable to lead a third front. He is committed to the development of Odisha and its people as Jyoti Basu was and Mamata Banerjee is for West Bengal, as Jayalalithaa was for Tamil Nadu.
There are reports that Naveenbabu is facing serious health hazards. What’s your responseIJ
These reports are not just reports; they are just canards to divert the public attention. Naveenji is as fit as a fiddle and with the blessings of lord Jagannath. He shall return to power again with best of his health and mind. Doesn’t the man who takes care of the health of his own State know to take care of his own healthIJ You journalists are reading too much into his health affairs!