By Pratul Sharma
Published: 17th April 2014 06:00 AM
Last Updated: 17th April 2014 12:09 AM
Bangalore South has become of one of the hotly contest seats. Do you feel the pressure of the new entrant?
There is a huge wave in my constituency. There are three issues: Narendra Bhai’s leadership, Ananth Kumar’s work and strong organisational network of the party - 43 corporators in 61 wards and four MLAs out of eight. It’s a stronghold of the BJP, coupled with national mode it has created a wave. This is hot constituency only for the media. Last time, it created a hot constituency in favour of Captain Gopinath saying he was going to win. But he lost. Greatest weakness is that he is a Congress candidate. Bangalore south elections are national elections they want to elect a prime minister. The Congress is tainted by so much scam, price rise it sticks to the Congress candidate. People will not vote for individual candidates, but national. He is not seen in individual candidate, people only see symbol hand. Aadhaar scheme is great betrayal of security. Aadhaar is niradhaar.
Is this election different this time. What are the issues with you going to elections?
This constituency was changed after delimitation though name remains the same. People have seen my work in the earlier constituency. I have brought them international airport, drinking water, metro, flyovers, parks, reservoirs. I am telling the voters that during the last 10 years misrule has ruined the country - price rise, economic crisis, security crisis. Corruption. Coupled with that it was only the combination of Vajpayee-Ananth Kumar that all development works were done. This time it will be Narendra Modi and Ananth Kumar combination. So it’s good news for the people.
The Congress had done well in the Assembly elections. Do you think they would repeat their performance in the Lok Sabha?
Former Congress CM SM Krishna said that honey moon period for the Karnataka government is over. If Ananth Kumar is saying something it’s different, now Krishna is saying its different. Krishna said three things: honeymoon period is over; they could have done better job and ticket distribution could have better. What more do I say about Congress.
The BJP lost elections over corruption charges against Yeddyurappa. He is back and contesting. Even Sriramulu was inducted despite Sushma Swaraj’s opposition. Muthalik too was inducted and ousted. Would not these issues harm BJP?
People have given the verdict for the 2013. This is 2014 Lok Sabha. People talk about 2014, it is now verdict about the Manmohan Singh Government. People no longer want to talk about the past. Larger issue is to bring Narendra Modi into power. Actually, people expect a unified situation in Karnataka. They wanted unity. We achieved the unity.
In BJP’s campaign what has come out is the differences within the party?
Old guard is moving out. Its old versus the new. There is nothing like this. This is a natural growth of the BJP.
If the NDA Government wins do you see yourself as part of the next government?
Whatever role party gives me I will accept. I treat it with great equanimity. I have seen all the ups and downs many times. I have been in and out of the government. I held many portfolios.