Cong, JD(S) will find going tough in LS polls if problems are not solved: Basavaraj
Janata Dal (Secular) leader Basavaraj Horatti, who won a record seventh time to the Legislative Council from the West Teachers’ constituency, is one of the senior-most politicians in the state. Known for his straight talk and uncompromising attitude, the former teacher has been critical of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government for several reasons. Upset over the denial of Legislative Council chairman’s post, he is keeping his fingers crossed over his induction into the Cabinet. A seasoned politician, he is also at the forefront of Lingayat movement. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, he spoke on several issues, including the performance of the coalition government and the next course of action for the Lingayat movement after the Centre rejected a proposal by the state government to accord a minority tag to Lingayats.
You have expressed your displeasure over the functioning of the coalition government...
Congress leaders had to form a coalition government as they failed to get a majority in the Assembly elections. They voluntarily approached the JD(S) and offered us unconditional support by allowing H.D. Kumaraswamy to become the chief minister to keep the communal BJP away. They publicly expressed their support immediately after the election results were declared. But political wrangling between the two parties over ministerial berths and portfolios started soon after the chief minister took oath. Later, Congress started raising objections on several issues, including the transfer of officials. The alliance partner is not cooperating with Mr Kumaraswamy and he is hesitating to take decisions because of the conditions put by the Congress. Also, during cabinet meetings, 13-14 ministers remain absent. We acceded to the demand of the Congress and made Ramesh Kumar the Speaker, though we wanted the post for our leader A.T. Ramaswamy. As a quid pro quo, the Congress had promised to
give us the Council chairman post, and I was made the pro-tem chairman considering my seniority, though I was not willing to take up the post. But soon after, a tussle started as the Congress reneged on its promise and appointed Pratap Chandra Shetty as Council chairman, citing party’s majority in the House.
You have said that you have never seen such bad governance in your career. Why do you think so?
While electing the Council chairman, Congress leaders did not even have the courtesy to inform the chief minister. I was dropped despite having served in the post efficiently for six months, and the developments made us unhappy. Now, the Congress has gone ahead and appointed chairpersons for prominent boards and corporations, without the consent of the chief minister. They have also appointed secretaries without bringing it to his notice. Upset over these developments, our state general secretary Ramesh Babu issued a statement that our party could contest from all the 28 constituencies during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Kumaraswamy’s hands are tied and he cannot deliver good governance as the atmosphere is vitiated. He expressed his helplessness before me, saying he is meant only for clerical work. The Congress is not consulting him while taking major decisions. Is it good governance? It appears that our chief minister is restricted only to put his thumbprint.
Are you criticising the government because you did not get a cabinet berth?
That is a wrong perception. Neither did I hanker for ministerial berth, nor have I ever lobbied for it. I have already served as a minister for four years. I have seen 16 chief ministers and 12 chairmen of Council during my 38 years of political career. I am upset because I was unceremoniously dropped from the Council chairman’s post.
What if you are picked as a minister after Sankranti... Will your impression of the government change?
How will my opinion change if a ministerial berth is given to me? Congress and JD(S) leaders should sit together and arrive at a solution to avoid confusion between the two coalition partners. I never criticised anyone even after I was denied a ministerial berth when the government was formed.
Will this government’s performance have any impact on the Lok Sabha polls?
If the coalition government is not run properly, it will have an adverse affect on both Congress and JD(S) in the Lok Sabha elections. The coalition’s priority should be to serve the common people. The rift between leaders will create a wrong impression among voters. They should cordially resolve all problems, including seat sharing, as early as possible.
Is Mr Siddaramaiah trying to keep the government under his control, as alleged by the opposition?
Several Congress legislators have publicly claimed that Mr Siddaramaiah continues to be their chief minister. What is the message they are trying to send to the people, when Mr Kumaraswamy is already functioning as a CM after officially taking oath in a democratic setup? How correct is it to run such a government if the chief minister is not given a free hand and respect?
How do you analyse developments in Congress over the allotment of portfolios?
Congress leaders are fighting for ministerial berths and prominent portfolios. It is wrong to ask for a particular portfolio, and everyone should handle the task assigned to them responsibly. I will ask for primary and secondary education if inducted into the cabinet, but I will not be adamant. I have earlier performed my job efficiently, despite being given science and technology, rural development and panchayat raj and law portfolios.
People seem disenchanted with this government. What is the way forward?
Leaders of both parties are expressing divergent views on several issues, including farm loan waiver. Elated by their party’s performance in three states in the recent Assembly elections, Congress leaders have decided not to run the coalition government in Karnataka. They now think that the Congress will win a majority if elections are held again in the state along with parliamentary polls. If Congress leaders are nursing such an idea, I feel there is no point in continuing with this government even till Lok Sabha elections. This is injustice to the people of Karnataka. The decision to deny the council chairman post too is a fallout of its victory in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Congress should hold discussions with JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda to prevent any rift between the ruling parties and there should be better coordination in running the government.
What is the future of Lingayat movement after the Centre rejected the proposal for minority tag?
We will study the reason behind for the central government’s decision and take the legal fight to the Supreme Court to fulfil our demand.
A few Congress leaders, like Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr D.K. Shivakumar, have regretted intervening in the minority tag issue. Is it a setback for the movement?
The previous Congress government did its duty by sending the recommendation to the Centre. It was collective decision of the Congress as it was discussed in the Cabinet. The views of a few Congressmen should not be construed as a setback for the movement.
Will the movement of seers and leaders continue?
We have already staged several protests and rallies to exert pressure on the state government. As a result, Nagamohan Das committee was formed and its recommendation sent to the Centre. But there is no need to launch the movement again as legal fight is the only option left for us. Some seers and political leaders, who opposed the minority tag, have criticised the Lingayat movement and said the issue led to Congress’ defeat in the Assembly elections. They will issue similar statements again if such rallies are held ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
