Modi doesn't seem to be interested in Odisha. I certainly feel that.
Vajpayee had a much bigger stature than Mr Modi. He knew how to run a coalition government very successfully.
In Odisha, we have concentrated on people and their development. We hope to take Odisha to new heights.
The government of Odisha believes in constructive cooperation with the Centre.
I really don't think of power. I think more of service to the people of my state.
I had no great love for the trappings of power.
One should do what is good for the country.
I was never in politics before I contested the Lok Sabha by-elections after my father's death.
To empower the women in rural areas, we have started something called Mission Shakti.
The love and affection of the people of Odisha continues to inspire me every day.
Dynastic rule is when you are groomed to succeed. My father never groomed me to take over.
What I want is peaceful industrialisation.
The Union government can do a lot more for poor states like Orissa.
I can tolerate anything but corruption and nepotism.
Democracy should not work on the basis of personalities.
Vajpayeeji's time was a time of mutual respect and understanding, irrespective of how small or big a party you are. In fact, Vajpayeeji's handling of a coalition is something of a benchmark in world politics.
I am committed and content to work for the people of Odisha. I have no national ambitions whatsoever.
Sometimes the energy of the crowd also catches on to you.
In the past, due to faulty economic policies like freight equalisation, resource-rich states like Odisha have suffered from the discriminatory policies of the Centre.
I don't have a problem with the Centre sanctioning funds to any state. However, when this is done for narrow political considerations, it damages the federal fabric mandated by the Constitution.
