Aparajita Sarangi, a 1994-batch IAS officer, opted for voluntary retirement from service and joined the BJP a few days ago. The bureaucrat-turned-politician spoke to Biswa Bhusan Mohapatra of Orissa POST on the road ahead. Excerpts…
Why did you take the sudden decision to join politics? And, why BJP?
After serving as an administrator for over 24 years, I realised that serving the people gave me the greatest satisfaction. Therefore, I decided to join politics to serve them in a bigger way. As an IAS officer, I had limitations, but in politics, the field is wide open.
I opted for BJP because of its vision of sustainable growth and development and its leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a hard-working leader and his motive of development is very clear. Besides, BJP is a national party and ruling in 21 states.
Are you interested to contest in the next general elections? If yes, will you fight for Lok Sabha or Assembly?
I am now in Class-I of politics, I have to learn more and more. As for electoral politics, my party will decide whether I shall fight the polls and from which seat. If the party asks me to do so, I will definitely contest. I did not discuss the subject with the party leadership even prior to joining.
Who do you see as the BJP’s CM candidate for the upcoming elections? Do you agree with Union Minister Jual Oram’s recent statement that Dharmendra Pradhan (Union Petroleum Minister) will be the BJP’s face for the polls?
My party will decide about this. The statement of Oram is irrelevant and I don’t want to make any comment on this.
Is BJP’s Mission of ‘120+’ for Odisha Assembly achievable? Is the BJP strong enough to fulfill the target?
Yes, it is achievable and people of the state have made up their mind for change. People are fed up with the rampant corruption. BJP is strengthening its base day by day and our party’s focus is to make it the strongest political organisation in the state.
How do you see the BJD government and its style of functioning?
This government is only giving out doles to the voters while people across the globe know Odisha for its poverty. As per a report submitted by the state to Union Rural Development Ministry in 2016, over 86 lakh households in Odisha are poor and deprived, of which 50 lakh are reeling under poverty. There is no sustainable development, no mission and vision.
BJP always alleges that bureaucrats are running the government in the state, what is your comment on this?
I don’t want to make comment on this as I was working with the Union government for the past five years and don’t have much knowledge about this. However, my opinion is that all public servants should work as per Government Servants’ Conduct Rules.
It was alleged that you had, in your application for VRS, mentioned about joining a UN NGO. Is it true?
No, not at all. One can check with the General Administration department. In fact, there is no need to mention such things in the format prescribed to get NOC for VRS.
You have spoken about alternative development model. Can you elaborate? What do you think needs to be done to provide better governance in the state?
Why should our state and people continue to reel under poverty. We need speedy and sustainable development, not doles (indicating schemes). Our people should know how to fish instead of getting the fish for free. We have to create an environment for the people where they can earn on their own, their income level will rise and their standard of living will improve. We have huge mineral resources, why shouldn’t we utilise it for the sustainable development of our people? The defunct industries like sponge iron should be revived to provide employment to our people. Accountability should be there. The public grievance redressal system should be there in all government offices and agencies. Toll free numbers should be introduced in all offices for grievance-hearing. The CM, who is the chief executive of the state, should make field visits and interact with people to know their problems and grievances.