Known as a master strategist and troubleshooter for the Congress party, D.K. Shivakumar (DKS), as Karnataka state Congress chief, has been given the responsibility to bring the party back to power in Karnataka. And DKS is leading from the front to ensure that party wins in both the constituencies of the state where by-elections are being held on 3 November. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Guardian, he spoke at length about his political plans and other issues ranging from CBI raids at his house to his relations with H.D. Kumaraswamy. Excerpts:
Q. By-elections for the two constituencies, Sira and Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, are going to be held on 3 November. What is the pulse and how is it going?
A. Whether I am a leader or a worker, it is all the same to me. I have been working in all elections in all responsibilities as a worker. I believe in collective leadership. It is not under my leadership. It is all of us including all leaders, party cadres, we all work together.
Q. Actually, this is going to be the first election after you took over as party chief. How are you looking at it?
A. Yes, one was with Janata Dal, the second seat was also from the Congress but you know in the Operation Lotus we have lost the seat but with a lot of difficulties we had gained this seat, Bangalore. We have lost the seat but still, I am very confident that the voters will not betray us.
Q. In Karnataka especially, the elections are fought on caste lines. In the last one week or so suddenly the love between you and Kumaraswamy has turned into hatred. Is there a race between you two to become the face of the Vokkaliga leaders?
A. I don’t believe in caste politics. My caste is the Congress caste. We have a multicultural and multi-caste. We believe the entire Congress itself has its own tradition, we believe in that. As far as Kumaraswamy is concerned, I don’t think or I don’t know what his problem is. I don’t have any problem with anyone. He is one of the big leaders of Janata Dal. I don’t want to comment much on him.
Q. You both were instrumental in bringing the coalition government to power and suddenly this kind of pot shots being taken by Kumaraswamy against you. What are your comments?
A. No I think if Kumaraswamy takes something on me, he might be benefited out of it. Forming a government is the decision of my Congress president Rahulji at that point of time and whatever he has directed we had to deliver that. We had all collectively done it and it’s not my own single effort.
Q. The decision on your appointment as KPCC chief was put on hold for two months, and then there were CBI and IT after you. What is your take on that?
A. See you know the more the enemies, the stronger I emerge. I think BJP, the government in Delhi, could find only me in the entire political spectrum. They have forgotten how the Prime Minister had spoken ill about various leaders of the state itself. Where they are now, they are being picked up for their party from the Congress party. And so many leaders are in their party. I think all of them are saints now.
So once anyone goes to their party, they become Satyarishis and they are treated as having taken a dip in Ganga to become clean. Those who don’t go to their party, they have to undergo such experience. I believe in the law of this country and the law of nature. Both will give us justice.
Q. Recently, we have seen CBI raids on your house. What is your reaction to it?
A. See what more you can tell. The entire country knows it. I have been appointed as the President of the party 11th of March, 12th of March a preliminary enquiry has been ordered by the CBI. Now things are going on and I have also read some books and manuals of the CBI. I think they should have issued a notice and called for a preliminary notice before they come but nothing like that happened. The CBI has probed none of the politicians in this country for a disproportionate assets case. Their own advocate general has said that this is not a disproportionate case. They could have handed it over to other agencies the state has set up. So, there is no denying that it is a political vendetta.
Q. How is the Yeddyurappa government faring? Floods have affected people badly in North Karnataka, and Covid is also a major issue.
A. We knew that they would fail and they did disappoint everyone. What should be a priority in view of the sufferings of people is being ignored. You know that the corruption is going up. Modi ji was talking about the 10% during the Congress regime. Today it is more than 300-400%, and it is their own internal reports which are revealing that. We could see in purchases regarding the Covid itself. The Central government has bought something for Rs 400 and the state buys it for Rs 2,000.
Q. The Assembly seat Rajarajeshwari Nagar comes under the parliamentary constituency of Ram Nagar which is held by your brother, and the second seat going to bypoll is Sira. You have been campaigning here for two days. The BJP has deputed Vijayendra, the chief minister’s son. So, what is your assessment of both the poll-bound seats?
A. The elections are going well in both the seats. I have confidence in the people, the voters of this constituency who wanted to give a message. I think they will give a message that this government has not done anything. As for Vijayendra, I saw the statements of the chief minister. I am very happy with the statement of the chief minister. He has admitted that no government is working here and no leader is taking up the responsibility, there is no accountability in the BJP. And he has said that under Vijayendra’s leadership they will win both the seats. I am very happy that all his ministers have become dummy.
Q. How prestigious is Raja Rajeshwari Nagar?
A. Every seat whether it is Raja Rajeshwari Nagar or Sira — all these constituencies are equally important. Even if a panchayat election is being held, we are very much concerned about them. But I know what is wrong and what is right in Raja Rajeshwari Nagar. We have very good reports and I think our party will perform well and voters will not deceive us.