Known for his few words and characteristic enigma, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday kept all the cards about his possible moves in the coming days close to his chest, but did not rule out emergence of a Third Front as an alternative to the Congress and the BJP with their shrinking political space.
In a free-wheeling session with the Editorial Director of the The New Indian Express group Prabhu Chawla and senior journalist Shankkar Aiyar during the inaugural session of the Odisha Literary Festival here, Naveen __ not used to such volley of queries __ replied with his emphatic pause. But he was non-committal about a clear picture about the emerging political scene. "It is early days to talk about such a formation (Third Front) now but it is possible in future'', was his crisp reply as he was drawn into replying to the big bang reforms and Mamata Banerjee's mercurial politics.
Naveen, however, made clear he does not harbour any ambition to become Prime Minister like leaders of other regional political parties. "I harbour no such ambition. I want to serve Odisha in office or out of it," he said, adding he wanted to be elected by the people of the state to serve them.
The BJD supremo did agree that both UPA and NDA are increasingly getting marginalised and the numbers would crash in the next election. Recent elections have shown these trends when the country is going to be ruled by a coalition. "We will have to learn to work with the new system, for economic reasons or otherwise," he said.
Naveen reiterated the BJD stand of equidistance from the Congress and BJP. Though the chief minister maintained that the big ticket reforms announced by the Centre in recent days is a camouflage to divert attention from its failures, he refused to take a clear stand. These would be discussed on the floor of the Parliament, was his cryptic reply.
"Opening up of retail sector does not apply to Odisha as no city has a population of more than 10 lakh," he however pointed out.
To a question whether he will support the proposed bill for opening of FDI cap in the insurance sector, Naveen said, "it needs a great deal of examination to reply to such a question." Asked whether he supports Mamata on the issue of FDI and other reform measures, Naveen said he will take the opinion of others in the party for a decision.
The Chief Minister maintained that during the last few years the Centre is trying to usurp the federal rights of the states to which the latter have protested. He observed that the less centralisation, the better will be administration.
To a question on malnutrition, the Chief Minister stressed the situation has improved much and the State has made great strides. Naveen listed out some of the welfare schemes __ Mamata for pregnant women, ` 2 a kg rice. The states, Naveen said, should be consulted by the Centre for better implementation of welfare schemes.
Naveen was however struck an optimistice note on the country's future. To a question what headline he would give to a story of India, Naveen said, "It will be difficult for anyone to write a story of India". India has so far survived all the downs. "Let us be optimistic for the ups''.
Asked what would be the title of his biography, Naveen's parting shot was: "it is very pompous to think of a biography."