Q&A: BSY's love for Dalits a poll gimmick'

Ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls, the ruling Congress party, in an effort to woo the dominant Lingayat community, has taken several initiatives. Among them are the decisions to name the women's university after Akka Mahadevi and the order that Lingayat icon Basaveshwara's photo should be installed in government offices, which seem to have created positive vibes among Lingayats vis-a-vis the government. 

The party has now given a further push to its efforts to woo the Lingayats, by appointing a senior community leader, S.R. Patil as KPCC working president. He took charge at a big rally in Koodalasangama last week. 

Interestingly, Mr Patil considered a sober and docile politician, has taken an aggressive stance against his rivals, particularly in the BJP, ever since he took over as KPCC working president. During an interview with Deccan Chronicle, he exuded confidence that the Lingayats would vote for the Congress in the next polls. Here are excerpts.

You took charge as KPCC working president at a rally held at Koodalasangama last week. What message did the rally and you taking over as working president, send out to people in Karnataka? 

Over three lakh people and party workers from different parts of north Karnataka attended the rally. This has given the shivers to our political rivals. Through this rally, they have rededicated their loyalty, love and affection for the party. Now we have blown the poll bugle. If you analyse the poll results of the past, you will know that whenever the Congress came to power, it got more seats in North Karnataka. This rally proved that we have a strong support base and we are sure to come back to power in 2018.

Was it an attempt to consolidate the Lingayat vote base?

(Laughs) As Dravidians are to this country, so are Lingayats to the Congress party. We are the aborigines of the Congress. We naturally blend with the Congress philosophy. Inclusiveness, communal harmony and the creation of  a caste and classless society, are some of the principles that Basava taught us. The Congress is treading the same path. So there is no need to woo Lingayats. They are with the Congress. 

But history says the Lingayats left the party after Veerendra Patil, a Lingayat, was unceremoniously sacked as CM in 1990..  

When you recall history, you should remember that the Congress made four leaders of the community CMs before Veerendra Patil. After Shivraj Patil  lost the polls in Maharashtra, he was made Union home minister. That's the kind of respect the AICC has shown for the community. In contrast, see what PM Narendra Modi has done. G.M. Siddeshwar was the lone representative of the community in the Union cabinet. He was unceremoniously removed. People 
are aware of these developments and can make a wise judgement. The BJP is divisive while we take everyone along. Our programmes like Anna Bhagya and farm loan waiver have brought back all sections to the party fold.

You may say so but in reality, Lingayats are upset after the caste census report was leaked. The government deliberately divided each sub caste of Lingayats and Vokkaligas and identified them as separate castes to lower the community's strength. 

When did the report come out? I don't think it has. So, we can't discuss the issue based on mere assumption. Our rivals are doing this to dent our image. It is a conspiracy to snatch Lingayats from us. But nothing can stop us from coming back to power. Yesterday's rally is a proof to our popularity and acceptance among Lingayats.

Many in your party say both Lingayat and Vokkaliga leaders are upset with the caste census report. Isn't it true that you are pressurising the government not to disclose it?

(Laughs) The baby is not born, why do you want to name it? When the report has not come out, how we can discuss it? I am a working president of the party, I can't talk about government affairs. If I get a copy of the report, I can certainly talk.

You spoke of Anna Bhagya and farm loan waiver. But at Thursday's rally, your party leaders attacked only B.S. Yeddyurappa (BJP state president). Doesn't it show they are more worried about Yeddyurappa and less confident about your party programmes?

No, no. As a political party, do you think we should accept his double speak? I still remember what he said on December 31, 2009 when he was CM. He said in the Legislative Council that he had no note-printing machine, so he could not waive off farm loans. Let him go to Delhi, lay siege to parliament and ask for relief for farmers who availed farm loan from commercial banks. This is what we have been saying. 

There are facts to prove the migration from rural to urban areas is very high this time. It clearly shows your programmes have failed to change the plight of farmers.

I come from the undivided district of Vijayapura. Not one family has migrated this summer. The rate of migration has come down by 90 percent. Our programmes have given them succour. I know our rivals cook up stories and sell them to the media. The new found love for Dalits is one thing I want to speak about. Do you think people won't see through this? Why did he (Mr Yeddyurappa) not visit Dalits' houses for the last four years? Suddenly, he has developed this love for Dalits. Another leader has taken a house in north Karnataka to woo voters. What kind of gimmick is this? 

Moving on, the Congress seems determined to clamp down on the media, which was proved by the jail term awarded to two journalists. Why are you doing this?

Since it is an issue involving the legislative assembly, I can't comment. Let the courts and the Speaker decide. The press does not have absolute freedom. They have the same freedom as any other common man under article 19 of the Constitution.

First, came a House committee on reining in the media, then we have this privilege committee report. During the debate on setting up of the House committee, member after member came down on the media. Unfortunately the media could not defend itself. Is it fair?

This involves rules of procedure. So, I can't talk about it. I have not studied this issue in detail.

Coming back, are you concentrating only on north Karnataka? Does that mean you won't come down south?

No, it's not like that. I chose to focus on north Karnataka and Dinesh (Gundurao) will focus on south Karnataka. If needed, I will tour south Karnataka too.

Finally, do you think the formula of having the CM, KPCC president and two working presidents from different castes will work in your favour in the elections?

Yes, very much. Party central leaders have wisely adopted this formula. Besides this, Satish Jarkiholi has been made AICC secretary while Kolar MP, K.H. Muniyappa has been made a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC). And D.K. Shivakumar is our campaign committee chairperson. One more AICC secretary post is likely to be given to a minority leader from the state. So, I am confident that this arrangement will help us win the next assembly poll hands down. I heard that BJP national president Amit Shah has taken a house here for the sake of the 2018 elections. (laughs) You mark my words, we will send him back not to Delhi but to Gujarat, permanently.