'Charismatic leaders do not need any ideology'

I first met Biju Patnaik at my mentor Dr Ram Manohar Lohia's residence in 1967. Patnaik, too, was one of Dr Lohia's disciples, though very few knew about it.

At that time, he was being investigated by the Khanna Commission. Every evening, we would meet and discuss the latest political developments.

Although we belonged to different political parties, I was quite impressed by him. He was a very likeable fellow -- one with whom your heart may agree, but your ideology could differ. We were at loggerheads in matters of ideology and principles; still, we were good friends.

I became closer to him when he joined the Morarji Desai government in 1977. I was also in the abinet then. We were both working for the betterment of the country and Orissa. We enjoyed a very good relationship till I became Lok Sabha speaker in 1990.

After that, naturally, I became a non partisan. When I again contested for a Lok Sabha seat, he campaigned for me. Later, when we had differences with the Janata Dal, I campaigned against his party.

Bijubabu was a man without ideology. "Charismatic leaders," he used to say, "do not need any ideology." His whole aim was to restore to Orissa its former glory of the Kalinga era. The Kalinga kingdom had extended to the north west frontier in its golden era. Bijubabu wanted to see his Orissa grow by leaps and bounds in the same way. As an industrialist, he named his companies after Kalinga -- Kalinga Tubes, Kalinga Airlines...

The most important thing he ever did was declaring the Kalinga prize for the scientist of the year. He was a a man of future, a man with vision -- a man who was far ahead of his times.

Bijubabu did not believe in rules and regulations. When the central government refused to give funds to build the Paradeep port, he said: ''To hell with the Government of India. I will build the port with state government and my own money.'' And he spent Rs 1.60 billion on it. Today that is Orissa's most prominent port.

But as he got older, he lost his characteristic efficiency and thrust. No longer did he stick to to any programme. He did not mean business; he had lost direction. And that was why he failed in his last days.

Patnaik never minded corruption. As a result his entire cabinet became corrupt. After Janaki Ballabh Patnaik's corrupt government was ousted, he had given high hopes to the Orissa people. They expected the very best from Bijubabu. But his government failed them completely on every front.

True, he issued vociferous statements -- like 'beat up all corrupt officials.' But when the people really started beating his corrupt ministers, he had to take back his words. After that he never opened his mouth on about it.

He was much more charismatic than J B Patnaik. But it was the latter who was more successful in politics. I think it was because Biju babu was much too straightforward for a politician.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray spoke to Syed Firdaus Ashraf in New Delhi.