As the Congress–Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government in Karnataka completes three months in office, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara spoke on the stability of the government and “failures” of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Excerpts from the interview.
What are the specific reasons for the delay in the Cabinet expansion? Does the Congress fear that the exercise will precipitate dissidence?
Now everybody is busy in the elections to the urban local bodies (ULBs). We initially thought the elections will not be held this early. But the State Election Commission took a decision to conduct the elections. So our priority now is the elections and not the Cabinet expansion. The Cabinet expansion exercise will start after the elections.
We hear about some Congress MLAs being in touch with the BJP because there is no hope of Cabinet berths. How far are these speculations to be believed?
They are totally false. Definitely somebody is trying to create some confusion. If you analyse very seriously, what’s the advantage these MLAs have by going to the BJP? They may be unhappy here for one or two days for not getting the ministry. But what will be the advantage of shifting? They have to resign from the Assembly membership. They have to contest the election on the BJP ticket. Will they be ready to face that? I say BJP MLAs are trying come to us (Congress). There are MLAs interested to join us. But they too have to face elections if they cross over. So, no MLA at this stage, according to my analysis, will prefer an election.
What issues the party will raise in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections?
We fought the 2018 Assembly elections on State issues. But 2019 elections are a national one. The approach and issues will be different. In 2014, they (the BJP) promised the Himalayan mountain to the Indian voters, but delivered nothing. For instance, creation of two crore jobs a year — that means the government should have provided 10 crore jobs by this time. How many jobs you have provided? I don’t have to do politics in this. It’s all there. The GST is our brainchild with the motto of one tax, one nation. The BJP also said the same slogan. But now, it’s not one tax but multiples taxes ... some are 5%, some are 12%, and some are 18%.
Issues like impact of demonetisation, FDI flow, trade, and farmers’ suicides will be raised. Prime Minister Modi should provide answer to all these issues and the people would like to know. If you are comfortable in finance, you should have written off farm loans like (the former Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh did. The Modi government allowed some 20 business houses to rule the country. The entire economy is surrounded by those business people.
Any progress on the Congress – JD(S) alliance in the Lok Sabha polls?
We are going with the alliance but we have not decided on constituencies. Since we are going for a five-year alliance, naturally there will be give and take.
There are reports that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Minister H.D. Revanna have been interfering in transfer of officials, even in ministries headed by Congress leaders.
Any coalition is bound to have some complaints. There may be some. But if you look overall, I don’t think there is any problem.
In recent days, the co-ordination committee has not met even to discuss the rain havoc.
We don’t lack coordination. We are doing well. Just for the sake of meeting we don’t want to do it. When there is a requirement, the chairman of the coordination committee will definitely call for a meeting.
With regard to rain havoc, the government is doing everything. The Chief Minister went (to the affected areas); I went, and many Ministers visited.
It looks as if the Chief Minister has been visiting temples rather than focusing on administration.
Going to temple is his personal faith. But he has not stopped his work. Some people go to temple every day before going to work. The Congress has no issues with that.
