As chairman of INDIA bloc, your influence nationwide is palpable in these elections. However, your absence in Gulbarga constituency in Karnataka is striking, especially since you are only the second from Karnataka to rise to the top post in Congress.Is this a missed opportunity for Karnataka voters to see you as a PM candidate?
I have fulfilled my duty as a member of the Opposition against Modi. Despite not contesting these elections, my commitment remains unwavering. As for being the PM face, we are not endorsing any individual candidate because we are a coalition. In a coalition, no single party can unilaterally select a PM candidate. A decision will be taken after the elections.
Why did you decide not to contest?
As a member of Rajya Sabha, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to contest Lok Sabha polls concurrently. Also, as AICC president and chairman of INDIA bloc, I have the responsibility of extensively touring the country. My schedule entails visiting all states; I hold at least two meetings a day.
But the decision to field your son-in-law from Gulbarga has drawn accusations of dynasty politics…
I am a first-generation politician so no one can accuse me of ‘parivarvad’. I had no relative or family elder to back me when I entered politics 53 years ago. When I transitioned to national politics in 2009, it left a void in my assembly segment which my son Priyank filled.
Similarly, now in Gulbarga, another vacuum happened. Many legislators and cadres wanted Radhakrishna to fill it. It was a collective decision to nominate him.
Karnataka Congress members suggest that BJP-led NDA might not secure a majority. What is your own prediction?
I don’t believe in predicting numbers, but ground reality suggests there isn’t a significant wave favouring Modi or BJP. While I prefer not to delve into issues like the Ram Mandir, it’s evident that emotive topics no longer provide BJP with the same traction.
Is INDIA ready to capitalise on this situation?
The performance of INDIA bloc is promising. We are determined to prevent Modi from forming the govt as we believe we will secure the numbers to thwart his party’s return to the helm.
But many have left the bloc while there are conflicts in states like Kerala…
There are differences of opinion, but this is primarily due to local issues in certain states. But there exists a shared objective: Defeating the BJP. All partners are expected to rejoin the bloc after polls. We also anticipate several other parties that oppose BJP to join. We will be even stronger than UPA I.
Will arrests of alliance partners such as Arvind Kejriwal influence these polls?
BJP’s vindictive politics led to the arrest of Hemant Soren even though there were no charges against him. People have taken note of this, and they will give their verdict in these polls.
Source Agencies
