Despite facing several controversies from the Opposition, a leader who won the trust of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his party is Dibya Shankar Mishra, a former minister in Naveen’s cabinet. After retiring from the Indian Air Force as a pilot, Captain Mishra descended directly on the electoral battle and succeeded it by overcoming all hurdles that appeared on his way. Based on his ethics, discipline and dedication towards society, he penetrated the electoral battle twice in 2014 and 2019 successfully. A loyal soldier of the regional ruling party is positive enough to garner public support like earlier. Armed with the development agenda of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the ex-pilot is contesting from the Junagarh Assembly segment and is quite confident about his party of making a clean sweep in the Assembly polls in the entire Kalahandi parliamentary constituency.
Ommcom News, in its ‘Leader Speaks’ series, caught up with the retired Air Force pilot, who enlightened his challenges, agenda, difficulties and party prospects in his home district Kalahandi in a telephonic conversation with Editor-in-Chief Jajati Karan.
Excerpts-——
Q- What is the prospect of BJD this time in Kalahandi because the performance of BJD was not encouraging last time in 2019?
Ans- Under the leadership of the honourable Chief Minister what he has done for the district in the last 25 years, it took some time for the people to realize. Now, they have realized that the only way is Naveen. Kalahandi has become totally a transformed district in terms of agriculture. We have become an exporter of cotton. We have exported cotton directly from Junagarh to Bangladesh. The Ekatara area of Indravati which was 125 thousand hectare has increased to 150 thousand hectares. Another 25,000 hectares is under mega lift. Irrigation projects in Madanpur, Rampur and other mega lift projects have yielded results. So, all these culminated in a positive move toward Naveen. The youths of Kalahandi are totally positive about the 5T Chairman VK Pandian. Kalahandi is totally in a swing and I am sure this time voters will definitely vote for us. We are winning all the five assembly constituencies in Kalahandi but for sure this time even the Member of Parliament will be from BJD. Complete swing is in favour of BJD in the parliamentary segment and I am sure this time it is a complete ‘Sankha Nada’ in Kalahandi.
Q- There is a popular perception that BJD is very strong in coastal Odisha but as far as Western Odisha is concerned BJP still has its strong base. And things might get even stronger given the Ram Mandir issue and Modi’s constant visit. Do you believe so?
Ans- I don’t believe in this. Because most of us are basically religious-minded people. In Odisha, we believe in all cultures. We believe in Ram, Jagannath, Hanuman, Sri Krishna, and every God and Goddess. We believe in Durga, we believe in Nari Shakti. So, what is the core issue is the development and Kalahandi has seen development under the leadership of the honourable Chief Minister. So, things will definitely be in favour of development. Not any other issue matters for Kalahandi because we have already seen enough deprivation, drought, and prolonged starvation. Now, things are changing. People are very positive and pro towards Naveen. And Naveenism and Naveen Mantra are working. Naveen engine is working.
Q- Give us three concrete reasons why the people of Junagarh will vote for you this time.
Ans- They will definitely vote for us. The first one is Naveen’s leadership and ‘Nua-O’. The transformed Junagarh and the kind of development that has been done through the leadership of honourable Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will make voters vote for BJD. The second reason is the agriculture sector, the irrigation sector, all the mega lifts and the development of mandis. All these are pro-farmer steps taken by Naveen and the insurance-free scheme. The third point is the manifesto of Naveen Patnaik, which speaks volumes for the pro-poor governance, governance at the doorstep.
Q- What is the biggest challenge you are facing in this election campaign?
Ans- Basically, we are election-ready every time. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has become a social revolution. It’s a cadre-based party. We have people like youths, women, and retired citizens who are not expecting anything in return. People are willing to give it back to the society. They want to thank Naveen Patnaik for the sacrifice he has made for the State. People want to make him a legend. Naveen Babu is no longer known as an election winner but is a legend. He is the highest-serving chief minister ever in this country. The record will be unbeaten.
Q- A few years back, political opponents had tried to make controversies regarding you. Is that impacting in any way during the election?
Ans- Satyamev Jayete. I am an ex-pilot of Air Force and had worked in the eastern and western frontier during Kargil war. My father was also in the Indian army who was awarded by the President. He is getting war pension. He fought two wars in 1962 and 1965 against China and Pakistan. My grandfather was in jail for fighting for the rights of students. I belong to that kind of family. I am from an Air Force background. People have a lot of respect for armed forces and politicians later. So, these controversies are created by the opposition which has no impact on my election. People will vote for the right thing and truth will definitely prevail.
Q- What is the biggest personal strength which will help you win the election?
Ans- I don’t deviate from the rules and guidelines of the Election Commission. I am not deterred by whatever the Opposition says. I am focused on my aims to make honourable CM as the chief minister of the State for the sixth term.
Arjun ko gandib dharan karna hi hoga. Machli ka ankh tir par karna hi hoga. Junagarh ko pragati ka path par le jana hi hoga.
I can see only the eye of the fish.
