With by-election fever gripping the Bijepur Assembly constituency, Orissa POST correspondent Biswa Bhusan Mohapatra interacts with the BJD candidate Rita Sahu to know her views. Excerpts:
How prepared are you now and how is the campaigning going on?
We are fully prepared for the by-election. Our party workers are very enthusiastic for the election. The voters here are also very happy because many developmental works have been undertaken and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given financial assistance to our region. The BJD will surely secure an emphatic win in this by-poll.
What are the major issues you would focus while reaching out to the voters?
There is only one issue – development of the area. I had served as the MLA of Bijepur for only seven to eight months. Many developmental initiatives have remained incomplete. I will complete them under the active guidance of Chief Minister once I am elected as the MLA of Bijepur. Now, voters have also become aware and actively supporting BJD for overall development of the constituency.
Naveen got elected from the seat but later he left it. How do you see it and how would you tackle the public ire over the issue?
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had contested from two seats—Hinjili and Bijepur. He had to vacate one seat and he resigned from Bijepur. People here are not reacting to the move. People have absolute faith on me and development will certainly happen here.
What would be your priority areas to work on if you are elected as the MLA?
See, lack of road connectivity and irrigation facility is a major concern. This apart, a lot is needed to be done on education and health fronts in our area. I will focus on these sectors so that people have easy access to these facilities.
CM had made several promises for Bijepur. Do you think that you will able to fulfil them?
Yes, of course. Some of the promises have already been fulfilled and the remaining will also be realised soon.