Rural Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda , five-time MLA, is the Congress candidate for Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency. He is fighting the elections against Union Minister and former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda of the Bharatiya Janata Party. During an interaction, he said there were several plus points for him in the constituency. Though he said it was difficult to judge the undercurrent among the electorate, he pointed out that a good number of Central public sector unit (PSU) voters in the constituency were against the Union government. Excerpts from the interaction.
What are the plus and minus points for you in the constituency?
There are several plus points this time. We have seven MLAs [of both the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular] and have good strength in the constituency. Our coordination is good and differences among us is zero. Secondly, I am in the north constituency for the last 10 years and people know me very well. Our opponent is good, but he has not taken much interest in the constituency. Being an MP, he had not shown any interest in local issues. The BJP MP’s involvement in the constituency is negligible. The BJP’s only plus point is the Modi factor. We have to overcome that.
What is your sense of the mood of the electorate?
It is difficult to judge the undercurrent among the electorate in the country. The voters have their own sense in this country; you can call it common sense or intelligence, but it’s not visible and they are not articulating it too. Did anyone predict Indira Gandhi’s defeat in the 1977 general elections? Who predicted the BJP’s defeat in the 2004 parliamentary elections?
Are you interested in going to national politics?
I strongly believe that a politician can become a full-fledged or mature public figure only if he works at the national level. I believe that one stint in Delhi is a must for a serious politician.
Do you think the present time is good to enter national politics?
I t will be a good experience if the party comes to power at the Centre. Otherwise, it’s another good experience being in the Opposition. It’s always better to start a political career as an Opposition MLA or MP. I learnt a lot from the 2009 general elections.
Do you see a change in electoral behaviour now?
There was not much bitterness among voters in 2009. But now, voters fiercely argue and contest our viewpoints.
How do you understand the electorate in your constituency?
It is a mix. Middle-class voters are predominant in Malleswaram, Hebbal, R.T. Nagar, Mahalakshmi Layout, and Byatarayanapura. There are a good number of Central public sector unit (PSU) voters here. Employees of BEL, HAL, HMT, and ITI to some extent are opposing the Union government this time. BEL employees had given me a lead in the Assembly elections. HAL employees are fully against the Central government; HMT staff are also not happy. The Centre decided to close down HMT, so obviously they are sad. So, Central PSU employees are upset with the NDA government.
