“Party not personal interest is important”

Providing entertainment to the people for over a decade on the silver screen, yesteryears mega star Bijay Mohanty recently joined Congress party and has become party candidate for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat. Let us discuss about his planning for the people and the party-----

Q, You came to the field of politics on February 27 by joining Congress. Why did you choose such party?
A, I did not have any plan or aim to join politics. I joined it all of a sudden after Congress party invited me. I had also fascination for Congress since my childhood. I love this party.

Q, You had also earlier joined in the campaigning rally of JB Patnaik. You are called as the conscience of film industry. So, why do you join any election rally when somebody invites you?

A, No, I do not join anybody’s rally with one invitation only. I only go to the place which I like most and I have trust, faith and love for that place. If I am considered as conscience of film industry in your language, then I will never do any work beyond the conscience. I will retain my personality before the people.

Q, As you are saying that the film stars are seen in the political filed in every 5-year, do not you feel sad when somebody toils hard for the party whole year and a film star suddenly hijack ticket during elections?
A, Yes, I feel sad. The party should not treat them like that. But, there must be some gap between the party and the man concerned. When party feels that no fitting candidate is there to contest from a particular seat, it call a film star or anybody else. The most important interest is party’s interest not personal interest.

Q, The process of cine-stars joining politics has begun in Odisha. How this trend would benefit the people of Odisha?

A, Film stars are not confined to only entertainment world. Anybody from any section of the society can join politics. I think people are gradually becoming more aware now-a-days. I think people have turned their attention towards stars as they have a good relationship with the cine-stars. They may be attracted towards stars after the political leaders are deviated from their path after winning elections.

Q, Do you think that actors can stand before the common people during difficulties? Why nobody went to the Phailin-hit people last year?

A, The actors still remain a victim of 1999 cyclone. We are also still mentally weak. But this time, we were planning visit Berhampur post-Phailin time, but due to lack of co-ordination among us we, could not stand before the cyclone-hit people.

Q, You joined Congress party when most of the leaders are quitting party. Why did join at this juncture? Do you think this trend would continue?

A, Going and coming is the practice of the society. If it would not happen then life would become stable. So, we all should accept the trend of entry and exit.

Q, Political parties attract the cine-stars thinking that the party would get relatives of that star as campaigner. Do you think so?

A, The parties can think so. But, they cannot force anybody rather than party candidate for campaigning. It is up to the relatives of the candidates whether they would campaign for them.