May 3rd 2024.
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is brimming with optimism as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's close associate, Kartik Pandian, shares his insights on the state's progress. In an exclusive video interview with PTI, Pandian reveals that Patnaik has a solid plan in place to take Odisha to the top in all fields. He believes that it is only a matter of time before migration from the state comes to a complete halt.
Pandian is confident that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will emerge victorious in the ongoing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. According to him, the people of Odisha have a deep love and admiration for Patnaik, who has been serving as the Chief Minister for five consecutive terms. He commands immense respect and trust from his people, who are confident that their progress is guaranteed under his leadership.
Pandian, who left his bureaucratic career of 25 years to join the BJD as Patnaik's private secretary, believes that the Chief Minister does not engage in politics for the sake of power, but rather to serve the people. This difference is well understood by the citizens of Odisha, who continue to support Patnaik's pro-incumbency wave in every election.
When asked if he has observed any signs of fatigue in Patnaik's leadership after five terms in office, Pandian refutes the idea. He firmly believes that as long as good work is being done, there can be no exhaustion. Patnaik's margins, vote share, and seats have only been increasing with each election, and he has even set a national record by winning all zila parishads in the last panchayat elections. It is clear that Patnaik's popularity knows no bounds.
Pandian attributes Patnaik's success to his unwavering commitment, hard work, dedication, sincerity, and impeccable integrity. He believes that it is rare for anyone to possess all these qualities at the same time, but Patnaik embodies them effortlessly. Under his leadership, the BJD is expected to improve on its 2019 tally in the current elections.
Odisha is simultaneously voting for 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 state Assembly seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJD won 12 seats, while the BJP and Congress won eight and one seat, respectively. In the Assembly elections held the same year, the BJD's tally decreased from 117 to 112, while the BJP's increased from 19 to 23 seats. The Congress only managed to secure nine seats, while others won in two Assembly constituencies.
When asked if the BJD would consider joining the central government or providing issue-based support as they have in the past, Pandian avoids answering hypothetical questions. He says that he has learned from Patnaik not to discuss such situations during elections and believes that the results will make the situation clear.
Pandian believes that Patnaik's unbreakable connection with the people allows him to predict the election results with confidence. He is not deterred by any election, be it panchayat, municipality, Assembly, or Lok Sabha. His enthusiasm and curiosity for learning and developing Odisha are unmatched.
Pandian also sheds light on Patnaik's focus on sports in the state. He believes that investing in sports is investing in the youth and investing in the youth is investing in the future. Patnaik's vision for Odisha is to become known for sports and provide a positive outlet for the youth, deterring them from negative influences like drugs.
Patnaik refers to the next decade as the "decade of youth" and has concrete plans in place for 2024-2034 to ensure that Odisha becomes a top-performing state in every field by 2036. The state is already excelling in sports, disaster management, poverty alleviation, and food production, but Patnaik's goal is to be at the top in all fields.
Pandian addresses concerns about migration from Odisha in the past and reveals that the data from various sources, including the government of India, shows a significant decrease in migration rates. Patnaik has taken steps to address this issue, such as implementing one of the largest skill development programs in the country. The state is also proud to promote the tagline "Skilled in Odisha." With the unemployment rate at its lowest in Odisha, it is only a matter of time before migration comes to a complete stop. Patnaik's vision for the state is slowly but surely becoming a reality.
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