Development tops my agenda: A. Manju
Now minister for animal husbandry and sericulture, Mr Manju, represents Arakalgudu assembly segment
By : m.b. girish
Update: 2015-11-02 08:00 GMT
A day after he was sworn in as minister, Congress MLA A. Manju is elated over his rise in politics. Now minister for animal husbandry and sericulture, Mr Manju, represents Arakalgudu assembly segment in Hassan and has the task of taking Hassan on the path of development besides initiating steps to strengthen the party in the district. Residents in Manju’s native Hayalu village in Arakalgudu were out to welcome him on his arrival in the village on Friday evening while a crowd waited outside his residence early Saturday morning to greet the leader on his elevation. Before Manju received the felicitation, Deccan Chronicle caught up with the minister for his views on discharging his duties in his new role. Excerpts from the interview
How do you feel on becoming a minister?
It is a responsibility more than a challenge given to me by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. I want to do good work and my work should speak.
You have only two years left as far as the government is concerned. How can you do wonders in the department?
I am new to the department but will sit with the officials concerned and take necessary measures to help farmers since more farmers are dependent on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Moreover, Mr Siddaramaiah was also given animal husbandry when he first became a minister a long time ago. My department is directly connected with farmers and I am confident of doing justice to the people in my capacity as a minister. Farmers dependent on sericulture are present from Bidar in the north to Kollegal in the south. I am happy with the ministry given to me.
Whoever was in charge of Hassan district, becomes friends with your bête noire, H.D. Revanna of JD(S). They go to the extent of having lunch at Mr Revanna’s residence. Since Mr Siddaramiah is close to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, he may not give you more powers?
There is nothing wrong in having lunch with Mr Revanna. Development is different and party matters are different. Moreover, it is the media which has claimed that in-charge ministers of Hassan become friends with Revanna and act according to his tunes. That’s not the case. As far I am concerned, I have been given Independent charge of animal husbandry by Mr Siddaramaiah and independent charge means that I am free to discharge my duties on my own.
What is the strategy you will adopt to snatch the district from JD(S)?
I believe in development works and will not resort to the politics of revenge in Hassan. With the cooperation of former minister and president of Hassan District Congress Committee B Shivaram and all other leaders, efforts will be made to strengthen the party in the district. Besides, local leaders will also be taken into confidence to build the party. I became a minister with the cooperation of all district leaders and we all will be united. We have elections to the taluk and zilla panchayats and the Congress party will come to power defeating JD(S). Congress was in power in the Hassan ZP when former minister Srikantaiah was minister and the same situation will return in both the ZP and the City Municipal Council (CMC).
You were critical of the Deve Gowda family during the Lok Sabha polls, now that you are a minister, will you soften your stand against the Gowda family?
My approach would remain the same but development tops my agenda.
What are the projects you plan for the district?
I have a vision for Hassan’s development. I will disclose my plans for Hassan at the right time. As far as giving an impetus to industrialization in the district, a lot needs to be done.
Are you planning to make your son Mantar Gowda contest from Arakalgudu seat so that you can focus on the Lok Sabha seat?
I am still young. Just now I have been made a minister and I would not like to retire now.