No political differences with Shivakumar, says Siddaramaiah. 'He is an aspirant, I'm also an aspirant' for chief ministership.
Published Apr 21, 2023 | 7:20 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 21, 2023 | 7:20 PM
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah. (Twitter)
By Kishore SU
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday, 21 April, said the “Modi factor” would not have an impact in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly elections, and expects Muslims to solidly back his party by opting for “tactical voting”.
In an interview with PTI, the former chief minister said the elections would be fought mainly on local issues and insisted a victory in the southern state would serve as a stepping stone for the Congress in national politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The 75-year-old Leader of the Opposition, who reiterated this will be his last electoral battle, said he expects 90 percent of Muslim voters to back the Congress. The ruling BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency.
The veteran also ruled out any differences with state Congress president and fellow chief minister aspirant DK Shivakumar, even as he asserted anyone can aspire to such to posts.
Following are excerpts from the interview:
On whether the election will be fought on local issues or will there also be a Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi contest.
This election will be fought mainly on local and development issues. We are raising only local issues and the development we made during our tenure and also during Congress governments earlier. The Modi vs Rahul contest is there at the national level mainly because people are projecting (it) like that, but it is the fight between two ideologies — communal and secular politics.
On the impact of the “Modi factor”.
(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi’s visits will not make any impact on the voters of Karnataka, because this is a state election, this is not a national election. The main issues the people are going to consider are local issues and the misrule of the BJP government.
On Whether Muslims, who constitute 10-12 percent of the population, will opt for tactical voting in favour of the Congress in Karnataka, as they did for Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.
In Karnataka also it looks like Muslims have decided that the Congress party will come back to power and they have faith in the Congress and its leadership. The Congress is the only party that safeguards the interest of the minorities in the state. More than 90 percent we are expecting from the Muslim community and Christian
community also. Definitely, they will vote for the Congress only. That’s what I hope.
On the adverse impact of the presence of SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) candidates on the Congress party’s prospects.
Every voter is very intelligent, including Muslims. They don’t want to split their votes between SDPI and the Congress, as they know that it will help the BJP, the communal party. I hope they will vote for the Congress party only.
On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his advice to Karnataka Congress vis-a-vis election strategy.
The people of Karnataka have a lot of hopes on Rahul Gandhi. After his padayatra (Bharat Jodo Yatra), in the entire country his image has enhanced. In Karnataka also people hope Rahul Gandhi would become the prime minister. He is aware of the political situation in Karnataka, he is advising (us) to go together and fight together and bring back the party to power in Karnataka, as there is ample opportunity for the Congress party to come to power.
On the perception about political one-upmanship between him and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar to become chief minister in the event of the Congress coming to power.
There are no differences between me and DK Shivakumar politically. He is an aspirant, I’m also an aspirant. In a democracy, anyone can have aspiration. I don’t think it is wrong to have an aspiration in a democracy. The opinion will be collected after the election; based on the opinion of the MLAs, the high command will take a
decision (on chief minister).
On the importance of the Karnataka election outcome for the Congress’ revival nationally.
From the point of view of national politics and the upcoming Parliament elections, it is very important. If we win Karnataka, it will be a stepping stone for national politics.
On the Congress’ poll guarantees and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s claim that it will require ₹1 lakh crore.
No, it will not come to ₹1 lakh crore. We have worked out the economic implications on the state exchequer, it will be around ₹50,000 crore for all the four guarantees we have promised. It will not be difficult for Karnataka state, whose budget size is ₹3,10,000 crore and every year it increases by ₹25-30,000 crore. I
know the economy of Karnataka and the implications of the promises we have made. I think Karnataka can implement all these programmes. I have presented 13 budgets so far in Karnataka since 1994.
On the BJP fielding senior Minister Somanna against him and another Minister R Ashoka against D K Shivakumar.
Their intention may be to tie us down (in our constituencies), but it is not possible. I have told people in my Varuna constituency that I will come for campaigning for just two days; other days I will campaign in other constituencies.
Whether Congress is open to the idea of aligning with JD(S) in case of a fractured verdict.
That question does not arise at all. People are fed up with the coalition government and BJP government. They want Congress to come to power; they have decided to give it an opportunity.
On the JD(S)’ prospects in the election.
They will not cross 25 seats.
On how many seats the Congress will get.
According to me, the Congress will get more than 120 seats (out of the total 224), it may also reach 150. This time the wind is in favour of the Congress party.
On discontent, rebellion and desertion in Congress after ticket distribution.
We are talking to them. In a democracy, the rebels will always be there. Not only in Congress, in other political parties also.
On why the high command did not allow him to contest from two seats, as per his desire.
I didn’t say that I will contest from two constituencies. My son (Yathindra, sitting MLA) wanted me to contest from Varuna this time, as I was reluctant to contest from Badami, because it is a far off place and it was difficult for me to visit there at least once in 15 days. Leaders and workers wanted me to contest from Kolar, so I told them if high command permits I will contest. As my son was very particular that I should contest from Varuna, and as it is my native constituency and since it is going to be my last election, I decided to contest from Varuna.
Yathindra has taken the responsibility of campaigning in the entire constituency as he has been the MLA for five years.
On the impact of reservation-related decisions of the BJP government taken during the fag end of its tenure.
It is a political decision taken by the BJP government, it doesn’t mean they are committed to social justice. BJP is never committed to, or has spoken in favour of, social justice. BJP is against reservation. Suddenly, as the election approached, they took a decision (that is) not in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. It should have been included in the 9th Schedule (Of the Constitution) to provide a safeguard, as the reservation has breached 50 percent cap and reached 56 percent. It is an eyewash to SC/STs. They claim it to be a “double-engine government” with BJP both in state and Centre. They should have ensured inclusion under 9th Schedule.
On why the Congress campaign so far has been spearheaded by only local leaders?
Rahul Gandhi is also coming. He had come to Kolar and Belagavi. Again he is coming on 23 April Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, they will all come, in addition to myself and DK Shivakumar, and other state leaders.
On the BJP leaders targeting him more compared to other Congress leaders.
Number one is, they target me because they are afraid of me. Number two, the people of Karnataka have decided that the Congress party will come back to power. People of Karnataka always love me, adore me, that’s why they (BJP) are afraid of me.
On the coming election being his last.
Yes, this is going to be my last election.
On whether he wants to leave electoral politics on a high note as a chief minister.
Let us see. Chief ministership… the elected MLAs will take a decision; before that I can’t call myself the chief minister of the state.
(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)
