Q&A: Has a Chief Minister never lost elections?

Retired Judge Chandrashekharaiah, who is contesting on JD(S) ticket from Mysore-Kodagu is upbeat about his plunge into the polls, as he claims no opposition from within the party

With senior Congress leader, Jaffer Sharief  doing a  U-turn and refusing to contest on a JD(S) ticket from Mysore Kodagu, the party  has fielded 71-year- old retired High Court Judge, Chandrashekaraiah from the constituency. Despite the heartburn among local leaders at being sidelined, Justice Chandrashekaraiah doesn’t anticipate any opposition from within the party. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle he said he believed in social justice and would strive hard to attain  secular goals if elected. Excerpts from the interview
 
Despite being a Vokkaliga, don’t you feel it is a drawback to contest from the Chief Minister’s home town?
Firstly, I may be a Vokkaliga, but I represent all communities here. And what if Mysore is a Chief Minister’s constituency? Has a chief minister never lost elections? People will study the history of all the candidates and decide who will deliver the goods.

It is said many local leaders who had aspired for the ticket are upset at being denied it. Do you think they will support you?
Not only local leaders and party workers, but all the people of Mysore and Kodagu region are supporting me.

Being a retired judge of the High Court, what difference can you make as an MP?
Soon after my retirement, I served as chairman of the state consumer commission and saw that it was computerised and got an independent building. I also disposed off 17,000 cases. At the end of my term there were just 430 cases pending. But now it appears some 7,000 cases are waiting disposal. People will consider all this. I believe in social justice and I am here to ensure secular principles are upheld.

What is the theme of your campaign?
I will tell people that I am here to work for secularism and that I will make sure all  government benefits reach the last man.

How are you feeling about your sudden entry into politics?
I am not new to politics. I  served as senate member of Bengaluru University twice in the 1970s. Later, I continued practicing law and served in various capacities  before retiring as high court judge.

What is your vision for Mysore and Kodagu? What do you feel about the claim of the Kodavas for autonomy?
Mysore is not new to me. I hail from Mysore and am from KR Nagar taluk, Saaligrama hobli. I am the son of a farmer. I did my PUC at Yuvaraja’s College, BA in Maharaja’s College and MA in Manasagangothri here. My wife is a Mysorean and I have a house in Mysore.

I know the problems of Mysore. Firstly, I want to ensure that villages have proper access to cities with good roads, and  farmers get a fair price for their crops. As far as Kodagu is concerned, I will make sure it gets a railway line and its environment is protected. As far as their claim for autonomous status is concerned, Kodagu is part of Karnataka and I don’t feel there is any need for that.