Even though his partymen have been mired in mining scams he is Mr. Clean. Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik spoke exclusively to Manogya Loiwal to talk about his equidistance politics and how BJP is never an option for BJD.
As he waves to the people of Odisha in Rajgangpur in Sundargarh district of the state, to attend fourth rally in a day, he kept his neck on the head rest and asked his security incharge to turn all the portable coolers towards him. As the heat of election is on, its time even Naveen Patnaik felt the wave of Modi but ignored it in his own style.
The fight in Rourkela and Sundargarh is just a hint of how the state is witnessing an impact of Modi wave in the Lok Sabha elections. Though state will also go for polls for Assembly elections, BJP may not be able to create a dent in the BJD bastion, Odisha.
"We are very happy with the preparations and we will give a clean and transparent government at the state and a lot of MP's in the centre. There is no Modi wave in the state and we will prove it," says Naveen Patnaik.
Maintaining equal distance from Congress-led UPA and BJP-led NDA, the Odisha CM says, "We will be equidistant from BJP and Congress. There is no question of joining NDA even if they do not have Modi as PM candidate."
Whether Modi will become prime minister is a far fetched question for him which only results will tell.
However, he has reservations on Modi wooing the minorities. "I don't think BJP will be able to forgive them for Gujarat. It was serious and they will never be forgotten by minorities."
After the Third Front formula did not see the light of the day he still remains hopeful post results.
Even Mamata Banerjee's Federal Front formula has not found takers in BJD since Patnaik has not spoken to her over it. He denies talking to Mayawati and Jayalalithaa over formation of an alternative front at the centre but is confident that regional parties will play a pivotal role in the government formation at the centre.
According to him the biggest enemy of BJD is UPA and the campaign will be vigorous against the Congress. "It will be against UPA because none of there leaders came after Phailin. They have ignored us and rejected our pleas."
Basking in the glory of success in handling the plight of Phailin that resulted in loss of crores across the state, he enjoys the support of the common man as the undisputed leader of the state.
Yet tainted with mining scams his partymen still feel that it is his image that takes the lead and will get them the advantage of turning supporter turnout in rallies into a credible votebank.
Busy with his poll campaigning, he is finding little time to pen his thoughts. So you may have to wait longer for his next book.
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