Ananta Narayan Jena, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA from Bhubaneswar-Central and former Mayor of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), is a leader of the masses. He has been in active politics for over two decades and, being a former Mayor knows Bhubaneswar better than many.
The BJD has re-nominated Jena for a second term from the Bhubaneswar-Central Assembly seat but there was much opposition to his candidature within the party. The division in the local unit of the BJD has been an initial setback for Jena and he is working hard to overcome it.
Jena knows his constituency and the problem faced by the electorate here well and intends to implement several projects to improve the lives of people residing in the Odisha capital if voted to power again. Ommcom News Editor-in-Chief Jajati Karan spoke to Jena to learn about his electioneering strategies and visions for enhancing the quality of life in Bhubaneswar.
Below are excerpts from the interview:
Q: You are a popular leader in Bhubaneswar … you have such good personal relations with people. But why was there so much delay or controversy over your re-nomination for the Bhubaneswar-Central Assembly constituency?
A: There is nothing like that. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is a regional political party, but a very big and popular party, and people from outside the state are also keeping an eye on the developments in Odisha and BJD. Our leader Honourable Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been at the helm for 25 years now. He has his principles and visions for the party as well as the state. Various aspects were taken into consideration before nominating candidates for the party’s Lok Sabha and Assembly candidates this time. So it is quite normal that this took some time. There has been no delay or controversy over re-nominating me for the Bhubaneswar-Central Assembly constituency. It was done on time.
Q: There are many aspirants for each party ticket in the BJD. There has been a lot of competition and your own party colleagues created several hurdles for you on the way to get re-nominated for the Bhubaneswar-Central seat this time. What would you like to say about this?
A: This is common in every political party. Everyone in politics has ambitions and wants to become public representatives. There are differences of opinion but there is no enmity. As a democratic set up we listen to all opinions and decide what is best for the party. The party is above all because if the party flourishes we all survive, if it doesn’t we don’t exist. So, in BJD we work collectively and respect everyone’s opinion.
Q: Since there has been so much opposition to your candidature this time, do you think it will hurt your prospects of winning the upcoming elections?
A: There is no difference or division in the BJD as everyone is enthusiastic and excited in ensuring that Naveen Babu becomes the Chief Minister for the sixth time. The Chief Minister’s visions and welfare schemes have benefitted one and all and he has the support of nearly 4.5 crore people of Odisha. He has ensured that people get their rights. Naveen Babu has made Odisha a prominent state in India so much so that everyone is keen about the developments here. As for me, I have been in public life for 21 years now and have been elected to different public posts during this period. I always try to move ahead with everyone’s support and blessings.
Q: What according to you is the biggest challenge you are facing in this election?
A: Everyone fighting this election against me is a challenger for me. I never consider any of my opponents as weak or small and give them due importance. I also give importance to my electorate. The very next day after the election, I asked my supporters to go door-to-door in the constituency and ask the people about their problems and try to solve them. We inquire whether they are getting the benefits of the welfare schemes and, if not, we try to help them avail the benefits. We are with the people every day and throughout the year irrespective of whether there is an election or not.
Q: What are the three main changes that you would like to bring to your constituency after winning this election?
A: As Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Odisha, we need to work to enhance the different aspects of this place, including its environment, housing facilities, transport system, and others. There is an influx and outflow of about a lakh people here daily. More and more people are coming to the city and we will need more housing facilities, more high-rise buildings, and a better transport system. I want to work in all these areas. Moreover, every year we are witnessing an alarming rise in temperature during the summer – people are unable to go outdoors due to intense heat. So there is an urgent need for planting more trees and creating water bodies to ensure that even if we cannot bring down the temperatures, we should be able to prevent it from rising further.
Q: Despite your poll promises, the people of Bhubaneswar continue to suffer from drainage and water-logging problems every monsoon. Do you have any permanent solution to end this menace?
A: If you have seen the condition of Bhubaneswar before 2003, you will understand that we have been able to solve most of the drainage problems in the city over the years. In most places, we had drains built with laterite stones during the British era. Over the years, we have replaced them with RCC drains and this has improved the drainage system across the city. In addition, when the construction of the new siphon at Lakhmisagar area is completed it will draw most of the water draining into the city from the peripheral areas. Compared to 2003, only 10 per cent of drainage persists in Bhubaneswar and this too will be done away with soon.
Q: What is your strong point that you think will help you to win this election?
A: I am a people person and always interact with them to know the problems faced by them and work to provide solutions. People come to me with their problems throughout the day – right from 6.00 am and sometimes till 2.00 am. I consider this to be my strength.
Q: Tell us about one good quality of your main opponent – the BJP MLA candidate from Bhubaneswar-Central?
A: Despite losing the election, my opponent, the BJP candidate is always in contact with the people. He interacts with them and when invited also attends the functions at the homes of people in the different wards of Bhubaneswar.
Q: In the 2019 elections, BJD won the entire Assembly seat under the Bhubaneswar Lok Saba constituency but lost the parliamentary seat to Aparajita Sarangi of the BJP. Do you think there will also be a repeat of the results this time?
A: Most of the electorate in the Bhubaneswar Parliamentary constituency is government employees. There are also many intellectuals and I believe they will vote on the ‘Jodi Shankha’ (conch symbol) to ensure Naveen Babu becomes the Chief Minister for the sixth term.
