Yes, I bribed an MLA to ask a question: Shekher Dash

Odisha’s Subhranshu Shekher Dash confession on ‘Sach Ka Saamna’ about bribing an MLA to ask a question in the Odisha Assembly session has been challenged by Pradeep Kumar Amat, the speaker of the state Assembly
On “Sach Ka Saamna”, you admitted to being a part of several illegal activities. Has your appearance on the show made life more complex?
I wouldn’t say life has become complex.But yes, I have met people who haven’t appreciated my participation on the show. They have been criticising me for speaking the truth on national TV and telling me, ‘Aapko yeh sab humein personally bol dena chhiye tha.’ I really can’t understand their viewpoint. Arrey main unko personally jaake kya bolun? Yahan (his hometown – Odisha) pe toh sirf criticism hi chal raha hai. After the show went on air, I have only been handling people who are busy passing comments. Jo mere bare mai kharab bolta hai main uske comments se apne aap ko affect nahin hone deta. If there are people who have appreciated me for being courageous enough to accept the truth, I don’t let that bother me either. I don’t want others to judge me. Jo maine kar diya, woh kar diya, aur jo mujhe karna hai woh main zaroor karunga. If people are thinking that I participated in the show for monetary gains, they are mistaken.
In the show, you admitted to bribing an MLA to ask a question in the Odisha Assembly session about transferring one of your relatives. The Speaker of Odisha Assembly, Pradeep Kumar Amat, said he doesn’t remember anything like this to have happened during his tenure...
I don’t want to comment because I don’t want to get into any more controversies. Jo show tha woh khatam ho gaya mere liye. My episode was aired earlier. I don’t understand why people are still talking about it. Why can’t people show maturity?
Have you emerged as a threat to those back home?
I don’t know about this. For me, bygones are bygones. I got to appear on the show because I got myself registered. The profile I submitted was liked by the show’s team and I was called for a polygraph test. I want to move on in life. I have taken a pledge not to repeat the mistakes I made in life. Main apni nazar mein nahin gira hoon.
Have such negative reactions from people affected your family?
No. My father is happy that I admitted to my mistakes. But my family has been asking me one question ‘When did this happen?’ All of a sudden, everyone’s focus is on me. I’m thankful to my family for permitting me to attend the show. Before participating in “Sach Ka Saamna”, I didn’t even think of the repercussions. If people are passing weird comments behind my back, why should I pay attention to them? I don’t regret anything in life. The motive in my life is to do something positive so that people remember me forever. Kisi acchey kaam ke liye TV pe aanaa chahta hoon. I’m planning to come to Delhi to study law at the Faculty of Law. If I get an opportunity, I’d also like to work with Anna’s team.