‘Congress will win a clear, full majority in Karnataka’

Incumbent chief minister rules out national role in the future; says party’s victory in Karnataka will be a stepping stone for future electoral wins, including Lok Sabha polls 2019

What has been the impact of the decision to give Lingayats a minority religion status? Has that gambit paid off?

It never was a political issue for us. There was the Nagamohan Das committee (report, which was based on representations) of the community. The government just acted on it, based on the community’s request.

Your Bhagya schemes (populist measures) specially Anna

Bhagya (rice at ₹1 per kg) seem to have struck a chord in your first term. Any signature scheme you plan for the second if you win?

We have released a full manifesto and will implement the schemes in it.

Nowadays though, the number of voters who look at a manifesto and vote on that basis are very less. Other factors play a role (smiles).

Have you become bigger than the party in Karnataka? Are you interested in a national role?

Absolutely not. I will only be in Karnataka.

Your opponent BS Yeddyurappa (who is the BJP’s CM face) has already declared that he will take the oath on May 17th. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy had indicated he will do so on May 18th (to coincide with his father’s birthday). So have you already decided on a date too?

Let them first get a majority, then Yeddyurappa can daydream about (taking the oath). Under no circumstances will the BJP get power in the state. I will be the next CM.