The former Karnataka Chief Minister and chairman of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) Coordination Committee, Siddaramaiah, says the BJP and its affiliates cannot teach the Congress lessons in nationalism.
After Pulwana, BJP is projecting national security and nationalism as major poll issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked first time voters to dedicate their vote to soldiers who conducted air strike on Balakot.
There is no need for Congress to learn about nationalism, national security or patriotism from BJP. Should we take lessons from those who killed Gandhiji? Was Jan Sangh or RSS involved in the freedom struggle? How many of them have laid down their lives for this country’s unity and protection?...
During the Congress rule, there have been over 10-12 surgical strikes and twice we have defeated Pakistan. During Indira Gandhi’s tenure in 1971, when Bangladesh was liberated, did we not defeat Pakistan? How can they make it an issue now? Modi is not speaking about what they have done in the last five years. He is only exploiting people’s emotions. People vote us all to become chowkidars, but did this chowkidar really do his duty. Modi has not. His tenure is one of only speeches, all mann ki baat.
But it is a question of perception and the BJP seems to have an edge in it?
Whatever drama the BJP does, people will eventually understand their game. When elected, it is the responsibility of a government, irrespective of the party and the Prime Minister, to protect the country and its people. It is the first priority. Whenever there is a threat through external aggression, the country has to fight back and it does. There have been disputes on the border and we have been fighting back. They cannot take political mileage out of national security... People will see through the hollowness. In any election, people are wise enough to decide what is best when there is a threat to the nation, its democracy and Constitution.
Don’t you think it is a little naive to believe that?
No, this is a proven fact. This is the 17th election. The educated population has increased tremendously compared to what it was in 1947. People are politically aware. People will choose wisely when it comes to the nation.
But the urbanised, educated people are the BJP’s main electorate.
It may work like that in one election, but not forever. People have realised they have committed a mistake in falling for the beautiful dreams that Modi wove.
During Assembly polls in Karnataka, the campaign largely appeared like ‘Siddaramaiah Vs. Modi’. What is it now?
It is not Siddaramaiah versus Modi or Rahul Gandhi versus Modi. It is democracy versus dictatorship. Democracy has to be protected. That is the main issue.
With less than a week for elections here in Karnataka, rancour at the grassroots is refusing to die down. Will the coalition arrangement end up doing more harm than good?
Following our joint rallies and our messages of unity, all minor differences are getting sorted out. Party workers will fall in line. There will be minor differences because Congress and JD(S) have been major opponents in several elections, especially in old Mysore region.
Developments in Mandya and Mysuru suggest that small differences may spell doom.
There is still time. Deve Gowda and I are doing joint campaigns in Mandya, Hassan, Mysuru and Tumkuru. We will fight together.
Can we say the old, legendary rivalry between you and Mr. Deve Gowda, is buried?
We have had only political differences, not personal ones. We have forgotten all that and are going together for a larger cause.
BJP is exploiting your traditional rivalry in Old Mysore... they are supporting Independent candidate Sumalatha in Mandya.
The BJP does not have a candidate to field there. That is why they are supporting Sumalatha.
But that isn’t that a clever political strategy?
No, it is simply a fact.
Why did you not contest Lok Sabha election? Why not a Delhi stint?
I want to remain in State politics. Rahul Gandhi has made me Congress Working Committee member. That is also Delhi politics but from here.