‘Yogi’s brand of politics will not work in Karnataka’

BJP’s UP CM Yogi Adityanath has been hitting out at the Siddaramaiah government throughout his strident campaign in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah’s son Dr Yathindra, a pathologist who is making his political debut as Congress candidate from Varuna in Mysuru, explains why there’s no comparison between UP and Karnataka.

Yogi Adityanath has accused the Congress government in Karnataka of ignoring the farmers’ crisis, while his government has waived loans, cut corruption...
There is no comparison between UP and Karnataka in terms of development. Our financial situation is far better than UP’s. In fact, ever since Yogi came to power, the UP government is facing one controversy or another.

Could you give an example?
Like Gorakhpur and the death of infants due to lack of oxygen supply. It’s a basic requirement in any ICU, that too in a paediatric ICU. The blame was shifted to doctors. The medical fraternity was targeted, maybe because one of them is a Muslim.

What would excite you more: going to UP in 2019 to campaign for Congress or going there as a doctor?
I am a pathologist first. I have worked in Mumbai as a senior resident. If I had got the opportunity, I would have served in UP. I have heard that working conditions there are bad. On humanitarian grounds, it is the duty of a doctor to serve where the need is more. But I want to educate people about the truth of the BJP government and call out their communal mindset. So it is better to go there as Congress campaigner. If I go as a doctor, I wouldn’t be able to call their bluff.

The UP CM has said your government patronizes jihadis…
The state government celebrates festivals of 30 key people, including Tipu Sultan and Hanuman. We are secular. That kind of politics won’t work here.

Your opponents say you’re part of a dynasty, as you’re Siddaramaiah’s son.
Children of politicians have ambitions as well. My elder brother was interested in politics and elections. If the people or party find merit, what’s wrong in it?