New Delhi: The Biju Janata Dal has kept its options open, party leader Arkesh Singh Deo, the son of BJD founding member Anang Udaya Singh Deo, told IBNLive.com on Tuesday when asked about the party's strategies for Lok Sabha elections.
"We are equi-distant. All our options are open," the 27-year-old said when asked about the BJP and the Congress as alliance partners.
"The party would opt for a post-poll alliance and not reveal its cards before the elections," he said. The Biju Janata Dal, which had been quite vocal about a non-BJP, non-Congress Front coming to power, missed the crucial Third Front meet held in New Delhi recently. Deo, too, toed the party line and did not divulge much.
The young politician, who plans to fight Assembly elections from Balangir, however, feels strongly about Narendra Modi. "He speaks about issues that are important to the people. People listen to him," Deo said. He, however, denied a Modi wave in the state. "There is no Modi wave. I would say there is Modi murmur," he said.
Balangir constituency is a home turf for the Deos as BJD Vice President Anang Udayan Singh Deo was an MLA from the constituency for 25 years. Arkesh's elder brother, Kalikesh Singh Deo is a Lok Sabha MP from the same constituency. Anang vacated his seat a few months ago, probably in a move to make way for the junior Deo in the upcoming Assembly elections.
In the exclusive interview, Deo touched upon all issues that are crucial to Odisha, including Naxalism, the POSCO plant and the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party.
At a time when AAP is creating ruffles across the political spectrum after its spectacular performance in Delhi elections, Deo dismissed reports that the newborn party will cause damage to its poll prospects.
He said he was confident that the AAP will not win "even one seat" in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.
He was also critical of Rahul Gandhi, who recently attacked the state government over corruption and its alleged support to the mining mafia.
"Personally, I respect Rahul as he is broadminded but you come to a state once in five years and then attack the government on vague issues, that will do him more harm than good. I don't think he is advised well by people around him. He doesn't strike a chord with the people. He doesn't talk about issues that matter to them," Deo said.
The young leader feels that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will lead the BJD to a fourth consecutive victory in the state. "We have done a lot for the people. I am confident the BJD will sweep the elections this time," he said. He however, admitted that Modi's recent poll campaigning in Odisha will give the BJP 5-7 per cent of the seats. "Modi has his 'Gujarat model' to fall back on which makes him more realistic among the general populace," he said.
Deo, however, feels that Patnaik's works on the ground for the welfare of local people will work in his favour. Odisha, however, is still counted amongst the poorest states of India.
Deo admitted that the state needed help from the Centre. "The state has done its bit. The Centre needs to assist us."
Deo, a graduate from Delhi University's St Stephen's College, will be making his debut in elections with the Assembly polls. He assures that he will make a difference in the educational infrastructure in Balangir. Admitting to the fact that the state has been witnessing migration of students and labour to other parts of the country for better prospects, Deo says industrial development in the state is definitely on the party's check list for the next five years.
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