BJP’s ‘Odia asmita’ talk is just a poll gimmick: Pratap Keshari Deb | Bhubaneswar News
Energy minister and BJD‘s Aul assembly nominee Pratap Keshari Deb talks to Hemanta Pradhan about the promise of free electricity in the party’s manifesto, Odia pride and more.
BJD in its manifesto promised to give free electricity to people. Will it be feasible?
This proposal was given by the energy department five months ago. Providing free electricity to domestic households consuming less than 100 units per month is a big thing.Since we are power surplus and our generation capacity is growing, the loss incurred can be made up from other avenues. Chief minister and the party have decided to keep this in the party manifesto because it is good for the public. Yes, it is feasible.
BJP is claiming that it will form govt in Odisha…
They always chest thump, this is nothing new for the BJP. That’s a poll strategy of the saffron party. They will talk big and talk loudly. They have adopted a slogan, ‘Jhuth Bolo Jorse Bolo’ since 2014-15. The BJP top brass visiting Odisha tell people that they will make Odisha number one, but why they failed to make their own states number one. If they cannot change the fate of their states, why are they talking about other states?
What is your vision for your constituency?
My vision is to provide urban amenities in rural areas. Secondly, empower youths. We will focus on infrastructure growth, providing employment opportunities to youths and development in other sectors. People from Kendrapada go outside the state and country as skilled manpower, not as migrant labour. These skilled human resources are in demand everywhere for plumbing services.
BJP has been raising the issue of Odia pride and targeting the BJD…
When elections come, they talk about such things. Where was this ‘Odia asmita‘ during the last four years? Why was BJP brass creating hurdles in the Parikrama project? Now they are talking about ‘Odia asmita’ and nobody shows interest in their theory. It is a poll gimmick only.
How do you think the party will do in the assembly and Lok Sabha polls?
We will do very well. I am hopeful of winning this time as well. BJD in Kendrapada is far ahead than others. During election time, opposition party candidates always say they will win the seats, but only voters pick their leaders.
BJD in its manifesto promised to give free electricity to people. Will it be feasible?
This proposal was given by the energy department five months ago. Providing free electricity to domestic households consuming less than 100 units per month is a big thing.Since we are power surplus and our generation capacity is growing, the loss incurred can be made up from other avenues. Chief minister and the party have decided to keep this in the party manifesto because it is good for the public. Yes, it is feasible.
BJP is claiming that it will form govt in Odisha…
They always chest thump, this is nothing new for the BJP. That’s a poll strategy of the saffron party. They will talk big and talk loudly. They have adopted a slogan, ‘Jhuth Bolo Jorse Bolo’ since 2014-15. The BJP top brass visiting Odisha tell people that they will make Odisha number one, but why they failed to make their own states number one. If they cannot change the fate of their states, why are they talking about other states?
What is your vision for your constituency?
My vision is to provide urban amenities in rural areas. Secondly, empower youths. We will focus on infrastructure growth, providing employment opportunities to youths and development in other sectors. People from Kendrapada go outside the state and country as skilled manpower, not as migrant labour. These skilled human resources are in demand everywhere for plumbing services.
BJP has been raising the issue of Odia pride and targeting the BJD…
When elections come, they talk about such things. Where was this ‘Odia asmita‘ during the last four years? Why was BJP brass creating hurdles in the Parikrama project? Now they are talking about ‘Odia asmita’ and nobody shows interest in their theory. It is a poll gimmick only.
How do you think the party will do in the assembly and Lok Sabha polls?
We will do very well. I am hopeful of winning this time as well. BJD in Kendrapada is far ahead than others. During election time, opposition party candidates always say they will win the seats, but only voters pick their leaders.
