Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa , who completed 100 days in office on Saturday, expressed confidence of completing full term. He, however, added a cautious rider that his completing of full term would “depend on how he works.”
In an interview with The Hindu, 76-year-old Mr. Yediyurappa firmly stated that he will never retire from political life. “There is nothing like retirement or rest for me. Till my last breath, I will strive to build the party (Bharatiya Janata Party) and strengthen it to ensure that it is always there in power irrespective of who is going to be the Chief Minister,” he said. Excerpts:
Are you personally satisfied with your achievement as Chief Minister in the last 100 days?
Definitely. I have camped in flood-hit areas for more than a month. I have prevented hundreds of deaths of flood-hit people in several areas through swift rescue operations and ensured justice to poor people, farmers and farm labourers. This is really a matter of satisfaction for me.
But Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah has rated your performance so far as “zero”?
What are Mr. Siddaramaiah’s credentials to rate us? It is the people who have to rate us. Let him first rate his own achievements. Under his leadership, the Congress was reduced to a humiliating position of winning just one seat in the Lok Sabha polls. He is criticising the flood-relief work just for the sake of it and has even announced a padayatra to gain publicity.
For the first time in the country, we are providing relief of ₹5 lakh to build houses for flood victims as against the norm of ₹95,000. Similarly, we are providing an additional compensation of ₹10,000 per hectare above those prescribed by norms for the crop loss.
What are your priorities for the rest of the term?
Our top priority is improving farmers’ economy by taking up various initiatives, including focussing on irrigation works. Other issues that we want to prioritise are tourism, housing and industrial development, especially small-scale industries. Of course, we will be giving importance to infrastructural development of Bengaluru city.
What is your comment on allegations that the BJP central leadership is not cooperating with you? There was a delay in ministerial expansion and flood-relief assistance, which were seen as indications of it trying to clip your wings.
It is not true. The central leadership is fully cooperating with me. On the contrary, I will say that allowing me to keep the entire power for such a long time is an indication of the trust the high command has in me. Also, the appointment of three Deputy Chief Ministers is helping me in administration. I will not accept that there was a delay in release of flood-relief assistance.
Is it true that the party high command as well as the State unit are trying to ignore you?
Nobody is trying to ignore me. In fact, party national general secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh, State president Nalin Kumar Kateel, and myself are working in unison. I’m not going to Delhi frequently to meet the central leaders as everyday is important for me in the wake of floods.
Are you confident of completing full term as Chief Minister?
I’m confident of completing full term. Everything depends on how I work. I should go forward without facing any charges (of irregularities). I have tried to maintain transparency in whatever I do. I’m giving all the flood-relief assistance in cheques.
What next for you as the BJP has started giving preference to younger leaders.
Let us wait and see. Let me complete the remaining term of three-and-a-half years.
Do you agree with the views of the Opposition parties that are predicting midterm polls in the State?
I rule out such a possibility. We are going to win a majority of seats in the bypolls, which will be fought on development agenda.
