The BJP in Karnataka is right now focusing on the Sira and RR Nagar by-elections. BJP vice-president B.Y. Vijayendra, who is son of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, talks to The Daily Guardian about the by-elections in the state. Excerpts:
Q: You have a huge responsibility after you took over as a vice president of the BJP. How is it going?
A: As far as the Sira Assembly by-election is concerned, our cadres across the constituency are really in an upbeat mood. We are hoping to open an account during the Assembly by-election.
Q: Well, there are a lot of comments being made about you being the super Chief Minister of Karnataka and running your father’s office.
A: I really feel pity for our political opponents who keep issuing such statements. I do understand the position of the honourable Chief Minister Shri Yeddyurappaji. Lakhs of workers are hoping that good development will take place during his tenure. But, as far I am concerned, being the BJP vice president, I have my own responsibility to work in the party. As you know, I have been given charge of this Assembly by-election also, so I am doing party work and the best of whatever is possible.
Q: Recently, you went to Delhi with your father. How was the response from the Prime Minister, the party president and senior leaders?
A: As far as the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji is concerned or any of the national leaders, they respect us a lot. They know the strength of Shri Yeddyurappaji. The honourable Prime Minister and our former national president Shri Amit bhai, they both took a decision after consultation with other party leaders. They decided to bring back Shri Yeddyurappaji into the party’s fold and made him a party president and, again with all the blessings of all our central leaders, he has been made a chief minister again. Of course, there are a lot of rumours which keep coming up, but there is not an iota of truth in those. As far as equations are concerned, the honourable chief minister respects all our national leaders and we are happy with the way things are going on.
Q: So your father will complete the next three years and there should be no doubt about it. Even though some of your MLAs on Monday raised the same issue.
A: I can only say that our (state) party president, Shri Narendra Kumar Kateelji, clearly stated yesterday (Monday) that Yeddyurappaji is going to complete his tenure as a chief minister. Apart from that, I would not comment on any political leaders who have given such statements.
Q: You have been made the party vice president and that’s a huge responsibility. You are also seen as someone who will take forward the legacy of B.S. Yeddyurappa in the next elections. How are you prepping for your big role in the coming years?
A: See, this is Bharatiya Janata Party. This is not like any other party. This is not the Congress party or any other regional party. A party respects people who work hard. Earlier, I worked as the Yuva Morcha general secretary of the state and now, I have been given this new responsibility as party vice president. I am happy with whatever I am doing. So, apart from that, as I told you, this is a national party. It is the party that decides, not Yeddyurappaji or a family party. At the end of the day, it is the party that decides my future.
Q: Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar, Kumaraswami, they all have taken potshots at the BJP, saying that a lot of money power and muscle power are being spent for these by-elections even while people in North Karnataka are suffering because of floods. How do you react to this?
A: See, as far as the by-elections are concerned, by making such statements, they are really insulting the voters. I would like to say that it is the failure of the Congress and the JD-S which has given a platform for the BJP to win the Assembly by-elections, which is why they are trying to hide their failures. In this Assembly constituency, there are a lot of issues, a lot of irrigation issues that have been pending for decades. Irrigation facilities are required, hospitals, infrastructure—there are a lot of issues pending in this Assembly constituency which the BJP has made an (election) issue. Based on the achievements of Shri Narendra Modiji, the achievements of Shri Yeddyurappaji as a chief minister, by taking this development plan, we are going before the voters of this Assembly constituency.
Q: As I mentioned earlier, Siddaramaiah said that you are the super CM of Karnataka. How do you want to come clear on this issue?
A: See, as far as Siddaramaiah’s statement is concerned, he was also a chief minister, and there are a lot of issues regarding his son and their interference in the administration. But I am a dedicated party worker. I enjoy doing work in the party circles, so I am happy with whatever I am doing. But as far as my interference in the administration is concerned, there is no iota of truth in this; these are just vague allegations made by political opponents.
Q: The Basavakalyan by-election is next and there are already rumours that there is lot of pressure on you to contest the election from Basavakalyan.
A: I am hearing this for the first time from you. But this is a national party and, ultimately, the party will take a call. Wherever the party gives me an opportunity, I will go and work for my party and for my leaders.
Q: Coming to these by-elections, specifically RR Nagar has become a prestige issue for you. What is your analysis and how is it going for BJP in these two constituencies?
A: As far as the Rajarajeshwari Assembly bypoll is concerned, I am pretty sure both the Congress and the JD-S have lost hope, even before voting, because the BJP has a clear advantage in that Assembly constituency, and the BJP is very certain to win that seat. As far as the Sira Assembly constituency is concerned, of course, there are a lot of expectations from BJP. People are hoping for change, people are talking about development, since there is the BJP, headed by Narendra Modiji, at the Centre and, here in Karnataka, there is Yeddyurappaji as the chief minister. So, naturally, people feel that it is high time that they vote for development. I am sure we will create history by winning the Sira by-election.
Q: You are being seen as the heir to B.S. Yeddyurappa. You are also the vice president. What are your immediate and long-term goals?
A: As I told you earlier, this is a national party and the party does not believe in these (legacy) issues. This party goes on purely on merit, based on our efforts, which gives us opportunities.
Q: What are your immediate or future goals as a vice president of the BJP?
A: I have started my work as a party vice president just now and was immediately given the task of the Sira by-election. Of course, our deputy chief minister, Shri Karjola, our other deputy chief minister, Ashwath Narayan ji, and, most importantly, our Lok Sabha MP Narayan Swami, are heading the campaign. I am one among the team and the entire party is working as a team under the leadership of our deputy chief ministers and party president, and I am sure we are going to win this by-election.