Q&A: Dissidence quelled, all Ballari Cong MLAs now campaigning for me: VS Ugrappa
By winning the Ballari Lok Sabha seat by a huge margin of 2.4 lakh votes against BJP strongman B Sriramulu's sister and former MP Ms J. Shantha in the bypoll held in November last year, Congress MP Mr V.S. Ugrappa proved that he was no pushover when it came to polls. Though Mr Ugrappa was the last minute choice of the Congress-JD(S) coalition for the Scheduled Tribe(ST) reserved Ballari LS seat in the bypoll, he was the automatic choice this time to take on the main contender, Y. Devendrappa of the BJP. The victory in the byelection has increased his confidence immensely and he has been seeking votes based on the developmental works carried out by him during his short stint as MP and by highlighting the need to oppose communal forces. He took time off his hectic campaign to speak to SHIVAKUMAR G. MALAGI. Here are excerpts.
How different is the campaign now from that for the November byelection?
There is a difference. In the by-election, I had to face the criticism of being an 'outsider'. But that is not there this time. I have the experience of being the MP for six months and I am aware of the problems of the constituency and the solutions for these problems.
How powerful is your opponent?
More than who is my rival, this election is a clash between two ideologies. On the one hand, there is a secularism and democracy, on the other, there is communalism..
But won’t voters also consider who the candidates are ?
Bharatiya Janata Party's Y. Devendrappa is my main opponent but he is harping only on the Modi factor. His contribution to the constituency is nil and there is no Modi wave here. The BJP MPs in the past did not do anything for the development of the constituency in 14 years. I am even ready for an open debate on this.
Has dissidence among Congress leaders been resolved?
The dissidence has been quelled completely. All the MLAs are now campaigning for me. We have been working unitedly ever since I submitted my nomination papers.
How do you propose to deal with the likely loss of votes on account of the alleged assault episode involving Kampli Congress MLA J.N. Ganesh and Hosapete MLA Anand Singh?
It is true that during my visits to Kampli, party workers did express anguish. I have brought this to the notice of the high command. Efforts are being made to patch up the differences between Anand Singh and Ganesh.
Tell us why should people vote for you?
Voters of Ballari constituency did not know me when the by-election was held last year. Now, they know about me and the works undertaken by me. They know that they can approach me at any time without the intervention of middlemen. I am what a true representative of the people should be.
