Senior KarnatakaBJP LeaderK S Eshwarappatoday said the party would form the next government securing absolute majority by Bankingon the "Hindutvaand Modi wave".
Eshwarappa, who is likely to face a neck-and-neck race in his constituency here in the May 12 Assembly polls, said he has never asked for any particular post in the party but only wished to see the party come back to power with absolute majority.
The former deputy Chief Ministerand Leaderof Opposition in the KarnatakaLegislative Council said the BJP was Bankingstrongly on "Hindutvaand Modi wave" to win comfortably to form the government without seeking support from the JD(S) headed by former Prime MinisterH D Deve Gowda.
The 70-year-old Eshwarappa, who hails from the powerful Kuruba community, said he was confident of defeating the sitting CongressMLA B Prasanna Kumar in Shimoga constituency with a huge margin.
Last time, Eshwarappahad lost to Kumar by 6,000 votes.
Dismissing opinion polls, he asserted that there would be no hung assembly and people would give a clear verdict to form the government for the next five years.
"In Shivamogga, all castes are with the BJP. Our concept of Hindutvaembraces people of all castes including Muslims, Christians and minorities. Unfortunately, the Congresshas wrongly interpreted this and is misleading the public against us," Eshwarappatold Ptiin an interview amid electioneering here.
Eshwarappasaid there was no "polarisation game" being played in the polls.
"Since 1999, we have fought elections keeping aside Muslims. We never expected Muslim votes despite which we have been supporting them," he said.
Eshwarappahad launched the 'Rayanna Brigade' naming it after the 18th Century warrior and freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna, who belonged to his 'Kuruba' community, at the height of his feud with state Party ChiefB S Yeddyurappa.
Later, he gave a quiet burial to it after the party central leadership intervened, with both Eshwarappaand Yeddyurappa calling a truce.
Asked if the BJP was losing a strong support base of Lingayats, he said, "The demand for minority religion status to Lingayats is a cynical ploy by the Congressto divide the community. It will boomerang badly."
He said people are not much bothered about it at least in Shivamogga, dominated by the Lingayat community.
Stepping up its Hindutvanarrative in the elections, Eshwarappaalso said the "NAMO" factor would also be the key for BJP's victory in the state.The Modi wave is strong in the state, he claimed.
Modi has a strong emotional connect with public despite many people not being able to understand his Hindi speeches.
"Their burning desire is to save Hindutvaand they believe it is possible under Modi's leadership."
Asked about infighting and dissatisfaction over ticket distribution among BJP members, Eshwarappasaid it was more prominent and visible in the Congress
"Discussion and arguments are part of the democratic system. That does not mean there is conflict within BJP. Infighting is more in Congressand visible during ticket distribution...the way Siddarmaiah, Kharge and Moily camps were fighting for tickets," he said.
Asked about his aspiration to become chief minister, Eshwarappa, once considered to be an alternative power centre to his rival B S Yeddyurappa, said he had never asked for particular post so far.
"I have accepted whatever posts given to me by the party. Morever, Yeddyurappa has been declared as CM candidate. It won't be proper at this point to talk (about my dreams of becoming CM)," he added.
Eshwarappais contesting for a fifth term from Shivamogga, where the incumbent MLA Prasanna Kumar is giving him a tough fight.
Eshwarappa's rival Kumar said he was confident of retaining his seat.
"BJP is not fighting elections on development plank but seeking votes from a particular community, Hindus," he said.
He said it shows the weakness of a senior Leaderlike Eshwarappathat he cannot win elections in his individual capacity and has to depend on the Modi wave, he added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)