New Delhi: After Uttar Pradesh, the other big state which BJP is looking to return to power is Karnataka. This is the only Southern state that BJP has governed. The party leadership has already announced a 'Mission 150' and the state party president BS Yeddyurappa, who led the party to victory in 2008, claims getting 150 out of 224 won't be a difficult task.
Much of Yeddyurappa's confidence comes from the induction of Congress leader and former Union minister SM Krishna.
In this interview to News18, Yeddyurappa says Krishna, who joined the party five days ago, will get BJP 40 more seats.
He claims that after Krishna's entry into the party, several Congress leaders and MLAs have made a beeline to join the BJP.
The BJP party president who is also expected to be the party's Chief Ministerial candidate will turn 75 in February next year. The age at which, under Modi's leadership, the party discourages people to hold public offices. However, Yeddyurappa claims there is no doubt about him sitting on the CM's chair once the party comes to power in the state.
Excerpts from the interview
What has SM Krishna brought to the table through his entry into BJP?
SM Krishna has a very good image in Bangalore where he gave a lot of importance, during his time, to the development of IT services. Even one press conference by him will have an impact for the party across the state.
So I am going to request him to come to Gundlupet and also Nanganguru where by-polls will be held next month. Him campaigning at these places will only add to our tallies there.
For example, in Bengaluru we are going to win again extra 5-6 seats because of SM Krishna. Like this, his presence will have its effect in 40-42 other constituencies, that's my observation.
After Krishna have any other Congress leaders also approached you with offers to join the BJP.
A lot of Congress people are now approaching me. They say that they were just waiting for Krishna to come in. One by one, they will join our party.
Any big names?
I don't want to mention any names because two, three MLAs from Congress party are in the queue. I've told them that they will have to wait for another two to three months. After that they can resign and then join our party.
But we also understand that blindly taking on leaders from other parties may hamper our poll prospects also. Getting many leaders from outside can have an adverse effect on our party cadres also. I will take the view of the district leadership first and only then take the call.
Are you looking at any national role for SM Krishna?
He has told us openly that he isn't, at all, expecting anything. Neither will he be interested in fighting polls. I also had an hour-long interaction with him at his house where he said he's not expecting anything from the party.
All he wants is that he be respected. He's very happy with Modi government's performance. He told me that he was fed up with the Congress for the past two years, and that he was thinking to join some other party. Now he has made his choice.
But as far as his role and responsibilities are concerned, it is entirely up to the Prime Minister and our party president. Whatever decision they take on this, we'll agree.
But hadn't you and and even Narendra Modi criticised him for bungling up when he was MEA?
That is not the point. He is very much disappointed in the Congress party. Now that he has joined our party, we have gratefully and respectfully taken him on board.
He will be a major help in our campaigns in the coming by-polls and the assembly elections also. What role he plays will depend on him also.
How seriously are you looking at 'Mission 150'?
Already we have identified about 160-170 constituencies. And also one-by-one we have identified our candidates there. Maybe there is a good competition among our own cadre at one or two places. Accordingly, we will survey these places and also take opinions of the workers and people of the concerned constituencies.
And Amit Shah also has his own way of handling things. Take Uttar Pradesh, for instance. After consulting our party president we will take some decisions and as early as possible I want to finalise the list of candidates for 150 constituencies.
For the remaining 60-70 constituencies will get to good people and identify suitable candidates there. We are trying our level best. Our workers have been working very hard for the last one year which has strengthened our party.
So, is in-figthing in the BJP over?
There is no infighting. Our candidates will win all seats and they will work.
Sir, you will turn 75 next year. Are you sure that you will continue to be the CM face of BJP?
[LAUGHS] Modi ji and Amit Shah know about my age and my work. In the entire country, the only state where the party announced a Chief Ministerial candidate was Karnataka, and they made me the president of the party. They have announced that I will be the next chief minister. Question of age doesn't arise at all. After coming to know everything only they have given me this responsibility.
What will be the election issues?
It's too early to say anything, but Modi's achievement will be the main thing. Second, the failure of this state government and its corruption. Third, it is going to be about our governance in Karnataka. When we were in power for five years, people were most happy with our programme. All these things are there.
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