Like any other parliamentary constituency in Odisha, Dhenkanal is also a key prestige seat for both BJD and BJP which is evident from the whirlwind tours of the big guns of both the parties. A politically significant Lok sabha seat Dhenkanal, which has been a bastion of BJD for the last couple of terms, is witnessing a neck-to-neck fight between a first-timer and a veteran. The BJD has picked a young and dynamic new face, Dr Abinash Samal while BJP, on the other side, reposed faith in its seasoned leader Rudra Narayan Pani.
The Ommcom News, in its latest ‘Leader Speaks’ series caught up with BJD’s new entrant Abinash Samal. A physician by profession, Samal descended on the poll battle with a ‘modern-day approach ‘ politics, unlike others.
In a short telephonic chat with Ommcom News’s Editor-in-Chief Jajati Karan, Samal elaborated his modern-day approach to politics, his vision for youths and elderly, challenges and his strategies to overcome them.
Excerpts…..
Q- You were not in politics before as you were a doctor by profession. What made you to enter politics?
Ans-As a doctor I could serve a particular section of people. But, in politics, I can focus on a larger group of people. For example, you can give education to a certain group. Some are passionate about sports. I can serve in that way. I can address a variety of issues within a short time.
Q- You belong to a political family in Dhenkanal. Your uncle is a veteran politician. Definitely, that will be an advantage for you. How difficult is it for you to win the poll? Because a veteran politician and well-known BJP figure Rudra Narayan Pani is contesting against you.
Ans- Being a youth, we will take a modern-day approach. What is that modern-day approach? For example, my uncle is leading that generation. He might have gone through the manifesto which the BJD had released 8-9 days back. In the manifesto, they have given a clear-cut background. There is a proper blueprint created on how to achieve our target. In my generation, we want to work like that. We want to do target-oriented work. Every month we have set a target that how much time we have given for education, how much for youngsters. How many people we have taken to the national level. I will work to hit my target every month.
Q-Politics may not be that systematic or calculative. It boils down to very much public relations that you have with your voters. How would you surpass that taking into consideration that Rudra Pani has been with the masses for a long?
Ans-People should know; given the Opposition candidate. Does he have any clear-cut vision for the people especially senior citizens? There is a lot of things to be done for the senior citizens. The palliative centre like an old-age home should have proper nursing facilities, washrooms and bathrooms with hand railings.
Q-Give us three important reasons why the people of Dhenkanal will vote for you this time.
Ans- I will take our youngsters academically very seriously. I will ensure more youths pursue education in IIM, IITs, doctors, engineers etc from Dhenkanal and Angul. Secondly, I will strongly focus on sports. Thirdly,
I will focus on checking rapid industrial pollution which causes bone-related disorders and lung diseases in our area, being a doctor, I will work extensively in health sector.
Q- What is biggest challenge you are facing during the campaign in the ongoing election?
Ans- I must say ‘awareness’. What the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has done for the people like school transformation, college transformation and hospital transformation. We have a shortage of doctors and teachers. But these things take time. In my speeches, I have promised to work 18 hours a day to sort out problems confronted by people. What will I achieve in the next five years that might not be done in the last 15 years.
Q-Tell me three important changes you are like to see in your constituency if you are voted to power?
Ans- I want to connect to all the established people like doctors, lawyers, IT professionals and businessmen. A proper community has to be created. A government can’t do everything. We will take out the hidden talents in panchayat levels.
Secondly, youth energy has to be channelized in a very productive way as the youths are wasting time in bogus things which lead to intoxication and many other bad things. A big rehabilitation centre for them is my target.
Q- What is your opinion on your major opponent Rudra Pani who has been a popular leader though he has been losing along due to some reason. Will there be any sympathy vote for him this time and how are you planning to counter it?
Ans-People are becoming more practical these days. They have been asking questions. Being a doctor, I have been trained to work in adverse conditions. He might have gone to public life for his political gain. But I have learned my skillset in the last 15 years by working day and night. He should share his clear-cut vision for the people. Does he have the energy to meet the needs of the people? People need that you should attend every family. Can he match my energy level? Can he match my intensity of doing for the people? My intention, skillset, my energy will be an advantage for me.
