After undergoing valve replacement surgery and having a month’s rest, JD(S) state president and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has kicked off his 2018 election campaign by embarking on the 'Kumaraparva Yatra' in the state and by resorting to a village stay programme.
Mr Kumaraswamy is overwhelmed with the response to his Yatra and is confident that the massive support of people will definitely turn into votes in favour of JD(S) in 2018. He stressed that there is a need for a strong regional outfit in Karnataka, since both national parties have failed to deliver.
The JD(S) state president said he has already finalized the candidates for 150 constituencies. He downplayed the tussle in the family and reiterated that a decision will be taken at an appropriate time on whether his nephew, Prajwal Revanna would be given a ticket or not. Here are excepts from an interview with Deccan Chronicle.
What is the response to Kumaraparva Yatra?
I have been participating in this yatra for four days and have received a good response from the people. The farmers rally at Belagavi was a big success, people have realized that both Congress and BJP have failed to deliver and they are looking for an alternative force in all parts of the state.
Both Congress and BJP have a strong network at the grassroot level, how will you fight them?
We cannot fight them financially but we are ahead of the Congress and BJP in garnering public support. Yes, our party has a weak organizational base in many districts, but people know that Congress and BJP have failed to find solutions to the burning issues of North Karnataka.
You have a large fan following across the state, but you have failed to convert it into votes.
In the past two elections a large number of people attended my programmes but it did not convert into votes. After assessing the failures of the past, this time we have evolved a strategy to convert my popularity into votes. We have no problem in old Mysuru region but in North Karnataka, candidates have lost their connect with workers and voters. We will set right this shortcoming.
I have conducted programmes in 50 Assembly constituencies and interacted with workers of each constituency on a daily basis.Through public meeting in the villages and districts, I an working to reduce the gap between party leaders, candidates and voters.
You said the aim is to win a simple majority in the 2018 elections...
Already I have finalized the candidates for more than 150 constituencies and I have instructed them to start work. Many leaders will join the party. Leaders from Zilla Panchayats and Taluk Panchyats are ready to join us. If we come to power, we will resolve their problems on a time bound basis.
Lack of leadership in the party is a major problem. The JD(S) is dependent on you and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
Now, P.G.R. Sindhia and H. Vishwanath are actively involved in the campaign. The leadership should be strong if a political party is to win the confidence of the people. Second rung leaders are getting ready do don the role of first line leaders. By the next elections, they will become top leaders of the party. With this election, this drawback will be set right.
Many of your friends have deserted you with seven rebel JD(S) MLAs set to join Congress. A few are in touch with BJP. How will you build the party?
The BJP says it will win 150 seats, the Congress claims that it has already come to power. If both parties are confident of returning to power on their own strength, why do they need leaders from JD(S)? They can’t win on their own strength.
Both Congress and BJP are eyeing candidates with winnable prospects? Is it wrong to poach such candidates ?
If parties have the strength, why do they need leaders of other parties? It is crystal clear that both BJP and Congress have no ability to attain a majority on their own.
There is a common criticism against you that when polls approach, you sell party tickets to money bags. Is it true?
In our party, nobody will come forward to take tickets after paying money. Those who file applications for tickets, look for financial support from the party. We give money to candidates instead of taking money from them.
There is infighting in your family over fighting the polls. How many family members will contest, will H.D. Revanna’s son Prajwal Revanna get a poll ticket?
The answer will come once the election process commences. In a few constituencies, we have already given instructions to candidates to start work, in others, eight to ten candidates are trying hard to get tickets. Prajwal Revanna says he has worked for the party, so it is not wrong on his part to seek a ticket. His opinion will be taken into consideration by the party at an appropriate time, there is no confusion in this regard. Every one has the desire to contest elections.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah often says your allegations are like hit and run cases.
It’s based on proof that I make allegations against the state government. On my allegations about bribes paid at check posts, I have documents on the collection of money at check posts. Drivers have got down at check posts and met the officials there. For what purpose did they get down, has the government opened Indira Canteens there? I even have video footage of money changing hands at check posts.
The BJP is confident of striking a deal with you if they fail to get a majority while the Congress is confident H.D. Deve Gowda will not support communal forces. What will your post-poll strategy be in case of a hung assembly ?
I am aware that both the BJP and Congress are making efforts to get JD(S) support but we will not become a political tool of the national parties. Our aim is to get power on our own strength. People have realized that they need a strong regional party to fullfill l their needs. So there is no question of supporting Congress or BJP.
The 2018 election is a do or die battle for you which is why you are focusing more on North Karnataka. Are you planning to contest from that region?
I am yet to take a decision on this. Workers want me to contest from the North. The decision will be taken when the elections are announced. We also have to win the confidence of people of North Karnataka and target a minimum 40 to 45 seats from there.
Your party opposed the controversial Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill -2017, but the ruling party says the bill is pro people and will help poor patients get better care at private hospitals
In what way is it a pro-people bill? Only Ramesh Kumar (health minister) feels that the bill will help poor patients. Doctors’ apprehension about the bill is genuine. Ramesh Kumar should improve the conditions of government hospital to provide better health care to the people.
Some government hospitals are not working properly. Why is he targeting private hospitals instead of improving the conditions at government run hospitals? Private hospitals are ready to display treatment rates. I am not supporting the private hospitals but the state government should provide an ideal atmosphere for them to function properly and at the same time the poor patients should get better treatment at affordable prices.
