n On Naveen’s decision to contest from western OdishaIt is simply due to the love and affection of the people of western Odisha. Overjoyed at the unprecedented development work in the region, particularly in the past five years, farmers, students, women and intellectuals from all walks of life have expressed a desire that Naveen babu should contest from the area. MLAs are asking him to contest from seats represented by them in the outgoing assembly. During the campaign in the byelection for Bijepur in February 2018, Naveen had said it would be his second constituency. He has stood by what he had said.n On political rivals claiming that Naveen is ‘panicking’The opposition parties always see something negative in our moves. When we act, they react. It is the people of the area who want the chief minister to contest from western Odisha. He has responded to the people’s wishes. It shows his popularity. It is the opposition that is panicking.n On BJP’s good show in the 2017 panchayat electionsThe BJP has misinterpreted the panchayat verdict. In the three-tier elections, it did well at the zilla parishad level but most of the sarpanches and panchayat samiti representatives are from BJD. Since elections at these two levels in the three-tier polls are not fought on the party symbol, unlike the zilla parishads, BJP is only talking about its success in the zilla parishad. Moreover, the zilla parishad verdict was reversed in the Bijepur byelection in 2018, when the BJD candidate won handsomely.n On Naveen retaining either Hinjili or Bijepur in case he wins bothAs the chief minister has said, he will take the decision after the polls.n On his own prospects as BJD’s LS candidate from BargarhThe people will vote for BJD. I am sure they will bless me. There is a strong tide in favour of the Naveen Patnaik government for the initiatives it has taken for social welfare. This will be reflected in the poll verdict.n On politicians leaving BJD for BJPThis is not unusual. Before every election, some leaders leave one party and join another. Many leaders from BJP and Congress, too, are joining BJD. Nationally and in other states, the phenomenon of politicians leaving one party for another is very much prevalent. These things do not matter much. The BJD’s position remains comfortable because of Naveen’s popularity.n On the chance of a triangular contest among BJD, BJP and CongressMy own assessment is that the situation will be somewhat different from that in 2014. At some places, it will be BJD versus BJP. In others, it will be BJD versus Congress. The BJD continues to dominate the election landscape in Odisha. We are confident Naveen will return to power comfortably. Neither BJP nor Congress has a pan-Odisha presence.n On the perception that BJD’s decisions are taken by bureaucratsThis is completely false. Politicians take political decisions. In the decision-making process, many people are consulted. The BJD has a healthy internal democracy.

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