As the high-voltage electioneering is picking up in the State with the days of polls for both Assembly and Lok Sabha coming closer, leaders of various parties have started locking horns on the ground with their unique action plans to win the hearts of voters. In Odisha, three major political parties, the BJD, BJP and Congress have stepped up their high-decibel campaign in quest of a massive mandate.
Ommcom News caught a leader in the high-stakes Cuttack Parliamentary seat. Meet Santrupt Misra, who left behind his long and successful tenure in the corporate world, and descended on the poll battle with the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). The regional party won the confidence of the first-timer and fielded him from the Cuttack Lok Sabha seat.
In a candid tete-e-tete with Editor-in-Chief of Ommcom News Jajati Karan, Misra precisely elucidated his vision and agenda for Cuttack and challenges he is facing during the poll campaign.
Here is his complete interview—–
Q- Give us three most important reasons why the people of Cuttack should vote for you this time.
Ans_ Well.. the first important reason is that I represent Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Conch symbol. Both of them have repeatedly performed and delivered welfare-centric and progressive policies for the people of Odisha and Cuttack parliamentary constituency.
Secondly, there is development, employment are the key issues. I my global experience, multi-sector experience, business, non-business, education and social sector experience bring a package of skills and background that will be relevant to the Cuttack constituency.
The third most important reason is–I am not a politician by profession. I have come here to serve the people of Odisha and Cuttack selflessly and to build Odisha a futuristic place for my brothers and sisters. Therefore, not for a conventional politician, I bring something extremely different and new to voters for the voters of the Cuttack parliamentary constituency.
Q- What is the biggest challenge you are facing this election?
Ans–The biggest challenge is that Cuttack is a big constituency. Within a limited period, it is difficult for me to reach out to as many individuals, groups, sections, panchayats and Zilla Parishads. Reaching out to every individual personally and the time management associated with that is the biggest challenge.
Q- Tell us the three most important changes you would like to bring in your constituency if voted to power.
Ans- The important change I would like to bring that more active consultation with the stakeholders and the voters and identify the priorities on which an elected representative in this case a member of parliament should focus on.
I have heard from everybody that they have an expectation that the MP must be available to hear their issues and address them. I would figure out a very smart mechanism of being visible, available and accessible to the electors.
Thirdly, whatever is committed is delivered through collaborative actions between MP, MLAs, Collector, Mayor, Zilla Parishad, so that the people on the same platform to deliver solution of people’s problems and meet their aspirations.
Q-What is your biggest strength that makes you believe that you win this election?
Ans- My biggest strength is my authenticity and genuineness of my desire to make a big difference for the people of Odisha.
Q-Tell us two things about your major political opponent Bhartruhari Mahtab that you like and hate most.
Ans- As a human being we shouldn’t hate anyone. He is just a political opponent. His biggest strength is he is a six-time MP from this constituency. It is quite obvious and a fact.
Q- How would you see the transition from a corporate world and political world?
Ans–First of all, this is not the first and last transition. As I said in public Ronald Wilson Reagan’s transition from being a film star to the president of the United States, Michael Rubens Bloomberg’s transition from a publisher to being the mayor of New York City, Sashi Tharoor from the United Nation to Thiruvananthapuram. There are so many judges and bureaucrats who have transitioned from the original field of specialisation to the world of politics.
