Shimoga: Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa is one of the most controversial and high profile candidates in the fray in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The former Karnataka chief minister who returned to the BJP in January is contesting from his stronghold Shimoga in Karnataka.
The corruption charges against him are causing a huge embarrassment for the BJP across India. The powerful Lingayat and farmers leader from Karnataka does not seem to be worried about this. He claims that he is a victim of a conspiracy. Yeddyurappa spoke to ibnlive.com from Shimoga. Here's the transcript:
IBNLive: Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan is giving your example to justify his candidature. What is your reaction?
BS Yeddyurappa: I have heard about it. It is his personal opinion. I can't comment on him. But I am also a victim of a larger conspiracy. The Karnataka High Court has quashed Lokayukta report against me. I have got relief from various courts in some other cases. Actually, I am not facing any serious cases. It is all media creation. A section of the media and my opponents are doing this. But, nobody can finish me. I am like a Phoenix. The BJP in Karnataka is looking much stronger and energetic these days because of me and other leaders. We are again united.
IBNLive: Don't you feel bad or embarrassed whenever the opposition parties across India take your name to justify their candidates who have criminal cases? They say you are the gold standard of corruption.
BS Yeddyurappa: Why should I feel embarrassed? I know that I am an honest man. It is their problem. I have not done anything wrong. Nobody is gold in politics.
IBNLive: What is your reaction to the internal fighting in the BJP like the Jaswant Singh episode?
BS Yeddyurappa: I don't want to comment on it. Let the national leadership handle it. Jaswant Singh is an honourable man and our top leader. Hope he won't leave the BJP.
IBNLive: How many seats according to you is the BJP winning all over India?
BS Yeddyurappa: We are hoping to get at least 250 seats on our own. We will form the next government.
IBNLive: What about Karnataka, which has 28 Lok Sabha seats?
BS Yeddyurappa: We will win at least 20 seats. The Congress government in Karnataka is corrupt and ineffective. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been a disaster as chief minister. Hope Sonia Gandhi will realise it.
IBNLive: Are you hoping that you will be made a minister in the NDA government if it manages to come to power?
BS Yeddyurappa: I have no such desires. If they offer me, I will think about it. Party matters, not individuals.
IBNlive: Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar family has entered politics for the first time. His daughter in law is taking you on. Are you worried?
BS Yeddyurappa: No, not at all. It is a democracy. Anybody can contest. I defeated Geetha Shivarajkumar's father and former CM S Bangarappa in the past. I respect the Rajkumar family.
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