‘Confident that Cong will get at least of 15 to 20 seats in Karnataka; JD(S) fighting for survival’
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and Karnataka’s infrastructure development minister MB Patil sounds confident of his party’s improved performance in the Lok Sabha polls in the state — where polling will be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7 — from five years ago. In an interview to Saubhadra Chatterji, Patil, who heads the Congress’s poll campaign committee in the state, speaks about his party’s strategy to take on the BJP-JD(S) alliance. Edited excerpts:
In 2019, the BJP won 25 out of 28 seats and Congress was reduced to just one in Karnataka. Has the situation changed this time?
After that 2019 polls, the BJP orchestrated ‘Operation Kamala (lotus)’ to form a government in Karnataka. The four years of the BJP were the worst. In the last assembly elections (2023), we got a historic 136 seats (out of 224) because of the misrule, 40% commission and zero development of the BJP government...
We announced five guarantees in Karnataka, including 200 units of free power for the poor, ₹2,000 for the women head of the family, and free bus ride... I’m sure the Congress will get 15 to 20 seats. People have understood that in the 10 years of Modi government, all the promises were mere slogans.
How will your party counter the formidable BJP-JD(S) alliance?
How many seats are the JD(S) contesting? Three. It is almost a spent force in Karnataka. They are fighting for survival, and by aligning with the BJP, they want to protect their MLAs, who otherwise will leave the party along with their cadre. A major chunk of JD(S) voters and even their leaders are shifting towards the Congress.
People have realised that JD(S) is no longer a secular party. The BJP is a divided house in Karnataka and it’s not a threat anymore.
Look at how many BJP leaders are contesting as independents. Even old RSS-BJP hands are in fray against BJP.
Will Ram temple issue have an impact in South?
No. We all worship Ram. Every village in Karnataka has a Hanuman temple.The Ram Mandir issue will not have an impact here...
The BJP accuses the Congress of dynastic politics. Yet, 16 of your 28 candidates are kin of ministers, MPs or MLAs.
What is the issue in it? If the son or daughter of an MP is competent, they can contest polls.
It is not that they’ve been nominated. Ultimately, they have to get elected by the people. They have to get votes. It is not a backdoor entry… How many BJP leaders’ children are in politics? Look at Yeddyurappa family.