He is a four-time Lok Sabha member. He was the Union Minister of State for Small Scale Industry, Agro and Rural Industries in the VP Singh government and then Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism in the IK Gujaral and Deve Gowda governments. He was also the Minister of State (independent charge) for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Statistics and Programme Implementation in the UPA-II government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Hailing from Bari in Jajpur district, heavyweight Congress leader Srikant Jena’s achievement does not end here. Jena began his political career from Janata Patry and was elected to Odisha Assembly in 1977 from Bari constituency. He represented Bari till 1989. Later, he switched to Congress and became one of the key faces of the party in the state. As a legislator, he had won twice from Cuttack (1989 to 1991 and 1991 to 1996) and once from the Kendrapara seat (1996 to 1998) and Balasore ( 2009 to 2014), respectively.
This time, Jena is contesting from Balasore Lok Sabha constituency which he had won in 2009. He is now pitted against former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Pratap Sarangi and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Lekhashree Samantsinghar.
In an interview with Jajati Karan, Editor-in-Chief of Ommcom News, Jena talked about his vision, agenda for the people of Balasore and the challenges his party is facing during electioneering.
Catch the complete interview of Srikant Jena here—
Q- Give us three important reasons that why the people of Balasore would vote for you.
Ans- I don’t know. That is up to the people of Balasore whether they will vote for me or not. Voters will have to take the final call. Balasore people have seen what kind of developmental work was done between 2009 and 2014 and subsequently from 2014 to 2024. That is the major issue now.
Secondly, people are here quite conscious of who really contributed what for the development of Balasore. So, I am very much hopeful that people will support me because of my past good work.
Lastly, I am into national politics, state politics and local politics. My duty is to explain to people what is happening in nation, in the state and local-level. They are listening to me carefully and will vote for me.
Q– What three important changes would you like to bring in Balasore if voted to power?
Ans- The health sector project was initiated and launched by the UPA government but was stopped in midway by the NDA government. After the NDA government came to power, the Satellite Super Speciality Hospital was stopped abruptly even though construction was started. Apart from the health sector, public health school project faced the same fate.
In my opinion, healthcare is a major issue and irrigation is also a major issue.
Besides, the coast canal project is an important aspect of the entire Balasore district. UPA government had sanctioned funds for the flagship project. The first phase was done between Talcher and Dhamara. The second phase work is yet to be started. That will change the whole economic scenario of Balasore district.
There are many things that needs to be done and I hope once people decide then we will see how to proceed.
Q- What is the biggest challenge you are facing during election campaign?
Ans- Nothing. Only, the opponents’ money power. They don’t have any narrative. They have done nothing. Their strength is money. And the hurdle we are facing is money only. That’s it.
Q- What do you think is your biggest strength that will help you win this election?
Ans- My work is an open book. I will let the people read my open book and that is my strength. That’s all. My record of work from 2009 to 2014 is open for all. My work will speak and my work is speaking.
Q- If you talk about state politics, how do you think state Congress will perform in the election?
Ans- I think Congress will be doing better. Since there is match-fixing between BJD and BJP, it may help us. Because people are well aware that what is the relationship between these two parties. It’s a fake fight they are taking up and the match has been fixed by both parties. Congress will take advantage of this.
Q- What would you say about your two major opponents Pratap Sarangi and Lekhasree? Any good thing that you want to say about them?
Ans- I don’t know. I have never said anything about these candidates of opponent political forces. I never comment on their ability.
Q- Since you are on the ground what is the pulse that you are feeling? How hopeful are you that you will win this election?
Ans- I told you it has been fixed. Both the candidates are rooted from BJP sources. One is official and another is non-official.
Q- What is your chance in this ‘match-fixing’?
Ans- No, I am exposing them. I am talking to people. It is up to the people. They will decide.
