I don't see any Modi wave, says Prasanna Patasani

BHUBANESWAR: Bhartiya Janata Dal has once again pinned hopes on its candidate for the prestigious Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat Prasanna Kumar Patasani to romp home victorious for the fifth consecutive term.
Patasani, who is likely to face a tough challenge from actor-turned-politician Bijay Mohanty of Congress and BJP's Prithiviraj Harichandan, spoke to Debabrata Mohapatra.
Unlike your counterparts, you were not seen campaigning with rigour in Bhubaneswar.If you are not meeting voters now, how will you solve their problems if you are re-elected to Parliament?
It is true that I did not campaign much because people in my constituency know me very well. I am not a debutant. Still, I visited different areas and approached voters where I felt it was necessary. I also banked on our party MLA candidates, contesting from the seven assembly constituencies under the LS seat. I requested them to put my photograph alongside their images on banners and posters.
Before the finalization of tickets, talks were doing the rounds that party chief Naveen Patnaik was looking for a new face in your place. Were you worried?
I don't believe in speculation. Party president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik has full faith in me. Though some names of aspirants were in circulation, I was hopeful of retaining the ticket.
You appear to project yourself more as a spiritual leader than a politician. What has been your contribution to Bhubaneswar as an MP for the past four terms?
To me, politics arises from politeness. To be polite, one needs to follow the path of spiritualism and austerity. My get-up of "saint" helps me to control my mind. Though I look like a saint, I am actively involved in politics. I do not want to flaunt my achievements. Voters know I did a lot for the growth of Bhubaneswar.
Have you properly utilized your MPLAD fund?
I spent almost 70 per cent of my funds.
What factor will work for you in the election?
Naveen Patnaik's popularity and my hard work will pay off for me. In 2009, I got 4,00,472 votes out of the total 7,10,911 valid votes polled. My opponent from Congress (Santosh Mohanty) managed to get only 1,47,712 votes.
Actor Bijay Mohanty of Congress and Prithiviraj Harichandan of BJP might give you a tough fight. How do you rate them?
I don't underestimate my rivals. But I am sure BJP or Congress candidates cannot cut my votes. I don't see any Modi wave or Sonia/Rahul impact here.
At a time when candidates of different parties launched hi-tech campaigns on social networking sites, you don't use a mobile phone or the Internet. Are you not tech savvy?
I don't use mobile phone and computer as these instruments cause illnesses and weaken the body. Technology is good, but its misuse is worrisome.