Kharabela Swain, a three-term BJP MP from Balasore, probably knows that his chances of winning the Lok Sabha seat from Cuttack, are low. But, the former railway services officer who joined politics against the wishes of his family does not regret his decision.

“Good persons should come to politics, even if they do not win. I do not regret the decision even though my wife, parents and in-laws were against me joining politics. I took a very conscious decision,” says Swain. Swain is pitted against Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) old-timer Bhartruhari Mahtab, who is the Cuttack MP for four terms since 1998, and Congress’ Aparajita Mohanty, a veteran Odiya actor. Cuttack will go to the polls on April 17.

Despite launching his own party four years ago, Swain is contesting as an Ama Odisha Party (AOP) candidate. The AOP was launched four months ago. This move was aimed at consolidating the divided opposition in Odisha, says Swain, who withdrew his candidature from Balasore this year. In 2009 elections, Swain lost the Balasore seat on a BJP ticket, after BJP and BJD broke up, and BJD’s candidate ate into his votes, benefitting Congress’ Srikant Jena.

Swain indicates that politicians in Odisha have a crab mentality, which prevents the opposition from consolidating. Each opposition leader thinks if Naveen Patnaik is to be defeated, he should get the credit for it. Also, each leader thinks if he cannot become the chief minister, why should anybody else get the chance, says Swain.

Saying that AOP will emerge as a real alternative, Swain adds, “Congress does not have capacity. BJP does not have desire. I sincerely wanted that there should be some sort of a credible opposition.”

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