‘Nobody can kill any one’s legacy’

Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra alias Lulu babu, whose influence has been in the Congress party since JB Patnaik period, is talking frankly about party affairs and the next course of action of Congress. Have a chart---

Q, When you were made a member of Congress campaign committee, you did not accept the offer even after taking part in the January 27 PEC meeting. Why you did so?

A, The responsibility of the campaign committee is to move all the constituencies and now we have less time now- about 90 days and it is impossible to cover all constituencies within a short span of time. In the PEC meeting, it is discussed about party candidates for upcoming polls. But the thing is different in the case of campaign committee. So, I have informed party president and others about my decision.

Q, Some names have been recommended to CEC. It is speculated in the media Santosh Mohan Dubey may contest from Puri Loksabha seat. Has your view been taken on the selection of candidates?

A, PEC meeting is yet to be convened and we have been asked for the meeting to be held on February 22 in Delhi. So, until the meeting is convened, how can we give our views? But, we five- Prasad Harichandan, Bhakta Das, Kedar Samantray, a leader from Nayagarh- recommended a name which I do not want divulge.

Q, You have decided not to hold any post of the party. But why didn’t you turn up to Rahul’s meeting convened in front of Bhubaneswar club while all other senior leaders including Srikant Jena, Kishor Patel, Chiranjib Biswal, Narasingh Mishra were present?

A, Rahul Ji was to meet students, youths, minorities and then PCC office bearers & PCC president. The meeting was scheduled earlier in Delhi. In which criteria, I would have gone there. Why did other leaders attend the meeting, I do not know and don’t want to analyse it.

Q. Do you think an overnight change could be made if the PCC president is changed?

A, I have told you from the beginning that we have not much time now ahead of elections. Even God cannot do any magic within a span of 90 days only. I have suggested that fitting candidates be given and all the leaders, their relatives, supporters should put forth all efforts for their winning.

Q, It is said that tickets were sold during 2009 polls. Can you reveal the fact behind it as you were the executive president. Do you think that the party is facing consequences of 2009?

A, Those who were involved in that, they are not coming to fore. If they came forward, then we will reveal the fact. Since 2009, we are not following a definite route. If we would follow a particular and positive route, then we would face no obstacles.

Q, You have a substantial part in Congress party as you held the post of president of students wing and youth wing in different times. Can you tell us that definite route you are saying about?

A, The Rajya Sabha elections have made every party man active. Everybody has felt the consequence of not being united. When AICC decided to field party candidate, my sole responsibility was to execute the party whip. And I did that. All the MLAs stood united and vowed to make victory.

Q, You were a strong supporter and very closed to JB Patnaik during his period. Don’t you think that AICC is trying to kill the legacy of former CM JB Patnaik?

A, Nobody can kill any one’s legacy. JB Patnaik has 30-35 years of experience in politics. So, his influence will be in effect definitely.