Rudra Pratap Maharathy, the BJD candidate for Pipli bypoll, in his interview with Manish Kumar of Orissa POST, talks about his campaign and why Modi wave, if there is any, is likely to fail in Pipli. Excerpts:
What are the development works done by your father late Pradeep Maharathy on which you are seeking votes?
A lot of works were done by my late father starting from roads, schools, health sector, irrigation, drinking water and upliftment of farmers. Development is an ongoing process and I will go forward with the agenda of development. For this I am already taking suggestions as well as blessings from the voters.
What makes you the best candidate for the MLA post?
I have already covered 43 out of 46 panchayats in the constituency. My father took care of the people for many years and treated them as his own family. They see him in me and expect the same level of dedication and love from me and have high hopes from me. I will work as per the needs and suggestions of the voters.
There are issues like kuccha houses, paddy procurement, KALIA scheme irregularities in the area. Do you admit existence of such problems?
Most of these things you mentioned have been taken care of in my area. My first priority in these areas will be to complete all the incomplete tasks. There are also drinking water problems in some pockets of the area. If elected, I will make it as priority and ensure drinking water facilities for the people of the area.
Is there any Modi wave or BJD wave in some pockets of Pipli constituency?
There is only one wave in Pipli-Delang and that is Naveen Patnaik wave. I am fully sure that the hard work done by the CM and my late father will yield very good results in the upcoming bypoll.
What poll promises are you making to the voters?
Now, my priority is to meet the maximum number of people I can meet and take their suggestions and feedback. I am making a note of all the demands and will start working on all the demands raised by the people from Day 1 if elected as the next MLA from the area.
There were speculations of other BJD leaders including your mother who could have got the ticket. Are you getting support from all of them?
My mother is always with me. I could not have gone ahead without the blessing of my mother and my father. There is no other such leader who is unhappy and all are working together to ensure victory of the BJD.