I can’t be considered a rebel: K Jayaprakash Hegde

With less than 15 days left for the Legislative Council (Local Authorities Constituency) elections, senior Congress leader and former MP K. Jayaprakash Hegde, who is contesting as an independent candidate, is a busy man. After being denied the party ticket, Hegde is contesting as an Independent but does not like being described a rebel as he claims he is contesting as per the wishes of party workers and leaders.

Hegde is busy touring the constituency which comprises of two districts. His day begins at sunrise and ends at almost midnight. As he was the in-charge minister of the district (when the Janata Dal was in power) before Udupi district was carved out of DK, Hegde is a familiar person even in Dakshina Kannada district. He had won the Brahmavar Assembly seat thrice including twice as an independent candidate and is hopeful of winning the MLC election with the support of party workers.

As he is fighting the Congress party candidate, Hegde is trying his best to cover every village in the two districts. He meets hundreds of party workers and supporters who greet him with affection and assure they will work for him. Hegde shared some of his views about the election with Deccan Chronicle.

Let me make it clear. I do not consider myself a rebel candidate. I am still with the Congress. I am contesting this election as per the desire of party workers and voters (elected local body representatives). Party finalised its candidate without consulting workers.

Thus workers and second round leaders who did not identify with the party’s candidate, wanted me to contest the election. I am contesting the election as per their wish. As I am representing Congress workers, I cannot be considered a rebel.

Yes I agree that Oscar Fernandes worked hard during the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha bypolls in 2012 which I won.

Oscar is a senior leader and I do not want to criticize him. I have always followed a principle that I will not criticize or attack any leader, even my political opponents. I would only reply if somebody criticizes me.

It is true that this is a different election. But I am optimistic of winning as party workers are with me. In fact, I filed my nomination after considering the opinion of the workers. Further panchayat members do not belong to any party, they are party backed members. People have seen my work in the past and I am confident they will consider it during the election.

Some recommendations of former Speaker Ramesh Kumar’s report on amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act have been adopted by the government. I will make an effort to make the government adopt the recommendations completely. Also I assure workers and voters to be their voice in the Council. I have always participated in debates and brought people’s problems to the notice of the government. In the Council too, I will do the same and work to get people’s problems solved.

Let me tell you something. Defeat has never disheartened me. When I lost I have never sat at home. I might lose but there are many who voted for me, so I cannot sit silent. I am always with the people and workers and will work for them. To give you a recent example, I lost the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliament election in 2014 and at present, I do not have any post. But a few months ago, members of a panchayat brought to my notice that the fund allocated was not directly being credited to the panchayat but to an escrow account where the pending electricity bills would be deducted and later sent to the panchayat. When this was brought to my notice, I met panchayat raj Minister H.K. Patil who asked officials to release the money directly to the panchayats which did not have pending bills. Later I also wrote to the principal secretary requesting that the same method be followed throughout the state. This is how I work even when I do not have power. Losing an election is not the end. Victory or defeat, I am always with my people.

I do not think I have indulged in anti-party activity. I am still with the Congress. Those who were indulged in anti party activity in the past and even when I contested the by-election, are still in the party. No steps have been taken against them. However if the party decides to take disciplinary steps against me, then I may have to bring past incidents to their notice.

Life is an experience. I have learnt a lot in the Congress since I joined the party. However I do not want to engage in criticism during an election.

I am still with the Congress. Thus is a hypothetical question, there is no need for a discussion now.

Many projects which we had suggested to the Chief Minister have been implemented. I prefer not to rate or criticize the government during an election.