Five-time MP from Odisha Bhartruhari Mahtab is set to contest again from Cuttack in the 17th Lok Sabha elections. Mahtab, an old political war-horse of the Biju Janta Dal, in an interview with BusinessLine , stressed on the importance of staying transparent and connecting with the people of Odisha to keep “winning their affection”. Edited Excerpts:

The BJD had a big win in the 2014 elections, both in the Assembly and the Lok Sabha, but is 2019 a bigger challenge due to the growing popularity of the BJP?

Every election comes with different challenges. However, the hypecreated in favour of Narendra Modi did not work. Modi campaigned vigorously, yet they could win just one seat, and that too because of logistical support —both human resources and money.

This time, the BJP is financially strong, which is demonstrated in their style of campaign. But I am quite confident that the BJD will come to power again with full measure, and I won’t be surprised if we create history again.

The BJP seems to have fielded good candidates such as a former DGP in Cuttack and a former bureaucrat in Bhubaneshwar. Ist it a good strategy?

Some candidates are not from their typical parivar. But there are others who migrated from our party to theirs. So I won’t say they have chosen their candidates meticulously.

There was a joke going around — the BJP was waiting at the front gate of Naveen Niwas to scout for their party. Someone who is denied ticket by the BJD was immediately pounced upon and made their candidate. This has happened in both Parliament and Assembly elections.

Baijayant Panda, who jumped ship and is now the BJP candidate, seems to have a fair chance of winning in Kendrapara, the constituency from where he won twice? Your views?

Of course, Baijayant Panda is a known face as he won two consecutive Lok Sabha elections in 2009 and 2014. But our candidate Anubhav Mohanty is also a reputed film star and is known far and wide in Kendrapara. The added advantage for Mohanty is that he belongs to the BJD.

Speculations are that the people of Odisha will vote for the BJD in the Assembly and the BJP at the Centre. What do you think?

It is two-pronged. Those with the Congress are totally disenchanted. They feel in Delhi, Modi is the answer. But in Odisha, the BJD is not confined to the administration of the State. Many people, including the tribals, feel that Naveen Patnaik also needs to have a say in Delhi. That makes our party relevant in Delhi. In the LS polls, no party will be in a position to form the government on its own, and the BJD will take a position which is in the interest of the State.

What will your party’s position if it has to choose between the Congress and the BJP?

We are maintaining equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress at present, but in the interest of our State, we may take a decision.

Do you see the revival of Congress in Odisha?

No. As per the selection of candidates, it seems the Congress has withdrawn from many seats. They have gone in for a coalition with the CPI and the CPM. The space that Congress is vacating is being filled by the BJP. But BJD is far ahead.

Lack of industrialisation, unemployment and corruption are some of the criticisms being hurled against BJD. Your comments?

People know industrialisation doesn’t happen overnight. If certain incentives are not announced by the government, investments don’t flow. It needs efforts. There have been roadshows and investment summits to attract investment in Odisha.

Odisha government has showcased which industry will be pollution free to give them maximum support.

However, ours is an emerging State where we need some hand-holding at least for the next 10 years. There needs to be compensation and rebate related to the interest component of investment in the power sector and different raw materials that are to be imported. If these things are factored into we will a have large number of investments into Odisha.

If you are to have more trade and commerce with South-East Asian countries, you need industry in the Eastern coast. That’s why we need support. But it is not coming.

Why do you say so?

Once, the BJP promised support for special category status to Odisha, if it comes to power. Then they said it is not possible as 15th Finance Commission has debarred it. But it is not true. It is politically motivated.

There is anguish against the mining sector. There are charges of over-exploitation of resources and exploitation of the locals. What is your government doing about it?

That is why we have special programmes and plans for the development of those far-flung areas. We have the largest tribal population in the country and we are focussed on them. Instead of just extracting minerals from mine, the Odisha government is now insisting on value addition so that the industry is set up.

We are victims of trade-equalisation policy but thankfully no more.

One must think about who is in-charge of the mines. The land belongs to the State but the minerals that are underneath belong to the Centre. The only thing that State provides is passage to exploit those mines. There are Union government officials posted in each district to supervise how much minerals are being extracted and carried out of the mines.

The Union government is more responsible for exploiting mineral-based districts.

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