Asserting that his relationship with tainted mining baron Janardhana Reddy is personal, Sriramulu said that when it comes to politics, they are fighting on equal grounds opposite each other.
Edited excerpts:
You contested from Molkalamuru and Badami last time. How confident are you about Ballari Rural?
In 2018, I was the MP from Bellary and two of us—BS Yediyurappa and I—resigned as MPs and came back to Karnataka. I contested from Molkalamuru and Badami, where I won from Badami and lost against Siddaramaiah in Badami by a few thousand votes. The people of Bellary have made me win four times and they keep showering their blessings on me. People believe that Sriramulu will fulfill his promises and bring development. Ballari is my birthplace and the place which gave me my political future. I have contested from Molkalamuru only once as the situation demanded.
The BJP high command had given you a target to ensure BJP’s victory in at least 90-95 percent of the 41 seats. How is the performance of BJP in the state?
I am 100% confident that the BJP will comfortably win at least 30 seats in the 41 constituencies of Kalyana Karnataka.
Where is this confidence coming from?
We are confident because we have developed and built relationships with people. People also look towards the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an inspiration. Our Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and BS Yediyurappa have consistently worked for the people of the region. BJP gave Rs 5,000 crore for the first time for the development of Kalyan Karnataka. The government usually allocates Rs 3,000 crore but we have given much more to the sector to ensure better facilities and development. This is the reason people trust BJP that if the party comes to power, they will see massive progress.
How many seats (in terms of numbers) will the Modi factor help the BJP get?
In Karnataka, we were leading in 70-80 seats before Modiji started his whirlwind tour of the state. But after PM’s visit and addressing rallies, we are confident that we will cross 100-110 seats.
In Kalyan Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka region, a section of Lingayats seems to be angry with the BJP. They feel that the reservation given to them was an election stunt. How is BJP dealing with it?
The demand for higher reservation for Lingayats, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has been in the pipeline for a long time. After Babasaheb Ambedkar wrote the constitution, it was mentioned that reservation should be given to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on the basis of their population. It did not happen. But that reservation was given by BJP only. Later the Lingayats also made this demand. The community has also fought and the BJP has increased the reservation by two per cent. Lingayats are 100% with us. They are not angry with us. If any party has hurt the community, it is the Congress. No Lingayat will vote for Congress.
What about Muslim reservation rollback? How much has this hurt your chances? Muslims are present in large numbers in Ballari.
Congress is spreading misinformation. We have not removed reservation for Muslims. They were given four percent reservation under OBC but now they are under Anganwadi center. Congress is trying to fool people by saying that reservation for Muslims has been abolished. it is not true. We had a detailed discussion with the Muslim community and they understood the government’s stand. If the Muslim community is hurt, we are and are in the process of convincing them.
Interesting fight in Ballari with Gali Janardhana Reddy who has floated a new party KRPP. He is also your dear friend and he has pitted his wife against the BJP. How do you see the party’s prospects?
I belong to BJP and the party has given me, a person from ST community, many good opportunities. They gave me a double chance in the last election where they allowed me to contest from two seats. He also gave higher reservation to SC and ST and we as dedicated soldiers work for the welfare of BJP. My friendship with him (Janardhanan Reddy) will always be there but the party comes first. I am sure that my BJP workers, leaders and voters will help the party win.
You will leave no chance to defeat Janardhana Reddy’s wife who is candidate from Bellary?
For BJP to win, the other party has to lose and we will make sure that BJP wins. Friendship is different, this political fight is different.
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