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'My resignation is a sacrifice for the state'

Orissa Chief Minister Janaki Ballab Patnaik, who put in his papers yesterday, looked relaxed as he spoke briefly to Bibhuti Mishra before leaving for Cuttack to attend a function:

Don't you feel sad that you're no more the CM?

Technically I am still the CM till the CLP [Congress Legislature Party] elects a [new] leader. That apart, why should I feel sad when I took this step myself?

But you took the step under pressure.

There was no pressure. I feel relieved.

But it is felt that the Congress high command asked you to resign...

I have clarified it many times. Let me put the record straight once again. I offered to quit because of certain circumstances for which I held myself morally responsible. My resignation is a sacrifice for the state and I hope the state benefits from it just like Laxman's sacrifice was for the people of Ayodhya.

But do you think it was the right time to resign with the assembly election just a year away?

It will not affect the Congress's chances. The Congress will come back to power.

What about you?

Only time will tell. But I have not resigned as an MLA [member of the legislative assembly]. I am still in politics, which I have always seen as a way to serve the people. They will assess my contribution in these 3 years 11 months.

Will your successor be imposed by the high command?

I don't think so. The legislators will decide their leader. I am sure it will be done smoothly in keeping with the Congress tradition.

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