Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jan 7: Though gram panchayat elections are not normally held on party lines, the recent polls saw political parties fire all guns to ensure that the candidates they backed garnered maximum votes.

One of the issues that grabbed attention was the performance of SDPI, which won a good number seats, leading both BJP and Congress district units to hurl accusations at each other of having a secret 'alliance' with SDPI.

Congress MLA U T Khader's in an exclusive interview on Daijiworld 24x7's 'Rough and Right' programme with Daijiworld editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike cleared the air surrounding the gram panchayat elections, and particularly about SDPI's performance. He also spoke on a number of other issues.

Excerpts

DW: Has the rise of SDPI in recent gram panchayat elections in your constituency made you nervous?

Khader: No, I am not nervous at all. I gave up nervousness and anger the moment I entered politics. Though BJP and SDPI had aligned, Congress has secured more votes than them. There is no loss to Congress. Compared to previous gram panchayat elections we have secured 10 additional seats. We had lost Munnur, Kurnad and Thumbe but this time people chose us. In BJP-dominated areas like Kodman and Meremajal people have voted for Congress.

DW: Compared to the previous election in the district SDPI has performed well, securing 171 seats this year. Is this not a threat to the Congress party?

Khader: Our politics does not involve worrying about SDPI or BJP. We are into politics for the people in the state and in each village, so that people lead a peaceful life. We repose our trust on our party workers. We are going ahead as per the ideology of our party. It is not very easy to bring everyone under one umbrella. It is the intention of the Congress to treat everyone equally. Congress has taken oath to realise the dream of Dr B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.

DW: As compared to previous Assembly elections and town panchayat elections, do you not think that the SDPI is rising quickly? Is it due to the failure of the Congress party or your work not reached people?

Khader: No party in the world can secure 100 out of 100 seats. As of now, neither Janata Dal, Muslim League, PDP nor the Communist Party is that strong in the constituency. Sometimes people change their mind. In Ullal, Congress has won a majority of seats. In Lok Sabha elections Congress secured a good number of votes but it failed to do the same in previous town panchayat elections. Without worrying about these things, we should build the party from the ground level.

DW: Do you think the candidates who won the elections did so due to personal virtues?

Khader: We cannot come to such a conclusion. Nobody will vote for a same candidate all the time. Politics is not stagnant water, its constantly moving. In our constituency out of 300 we have won more than 150 seats. It is not Congress who lost, but the BJP. Congress has been successful in winning BJP's seats. In the entire state the Congress has secured more than 32,000 seats. Nobody has clarity about the results. In my constituency, Congress has secured better seats compared to previous gram panchayat elections. In my constituency, only in Pavoor none of the parties has gained majority.

DW: Wherever Congress failed to secure majority of seats, whom would you choose to align with - BJP or SDPI?

Khader: As it is local body elections, we will allow local leaders to make decisions. We will not lure or split them for the sake of power. We will not indulge in such cheap politics. Congress will work with the people.

DW: When we contemplate on the results in the state, we cannot see any growth in Congress. And now you have D K Shivakumar as the state party president. Are you with D K Shivakumar or Siddaramaiah?

Khader: Siddaramaiah is our legislative party leader. D K Shivakumar is the president of the party. Both are together.

DW: It is clear that there are two groups in Congress.

Khader: There are no groups in Congress. Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are together and we are all united and work together.

DW: There is an opinion among the public that instead of trying to secure more seats, Congress is making efforts to protect its presence in Ullal. What do you have to say about this?

Khader: I have confidence that the people in the constituency and the party workers will protect the party. My victory is the victory of harmony. The people of Mangaluru (Ullal) constituency will not support those who approach the elections communal or sentimental issues. People who believe in love, faith and harmony will support the Congress. People in the other constituencies in the district have realised the consequence of the loss of Congress candidates. Congress leaders would question why the work benefiting the common man has not been completed. Now who has the guts to come forward to ask such questions? In future Congress will win the elections in the district and in state and Ramanath Rai will once again be the district in-charge minister.

DW: Is it true that according to you, except U T Khader, and no other MLA is working in the district?

Khader: It is up to the people of the constituency and leaders to talk about it. Moreover, the opposition party leader should speak up if so. If there are any errors from my side, I will correct it immediately. When people say or the opposition party leaders point out my mistakes, I have corrected them. This my nature.

DW: Recently, Mithun Rai stated that SDPI is BJP's B-team? Would you agree?

Khader: When Mithun Rai says something, there will be some proof to it. He does not tell lies. In gram panchayat elections we have seen it. It is also evident in the third ward of Kinya and in Pavoor gram panchayats. Earlier BJP used to field candidates where they were confident of winning seats. This time they have fielded candidates in all the gram panchayats.

DW: If such a trend continues, it will be very difficult for Congress in Mangaluru constituency, will it not?

Khader: In my constituency, I have done all the development work including providing drinking water facilities to the people. I am mingling with people from all the communities. Whoever comes to me, without any discrimination, I have done their work. And it is up to the people of the constituency. If I have not worked properly, it is for people to decide.

DW: Can you tell us about the incident of a youth following your car recently? Have you filed a complaint?

Khader: I have not filed a complaint. I did not even ask for escort. The government provided me escort after the incident of attack on Tanvir Sait. The chief minister and home minister provided me this escort even though I declined. The police officers in the escort team have worked well. When the youth followed my car, they informed the Mangaluru police and tried to catch him, but he escaped. I was not aware about this incident. When I got down from the flight I came to know through the media and I called the ASI in the escort. He informed me that the youth was following me for 10 kilometres. I told the police that they take action only if he had any bad intention, but do not punish him just for trailing my car. The department officials have done their work sincerely.

DW: Being MLA and a leader of the community, what is your opinion on the chanting of pro-Pakistan slogans during polling in Ujire? SDPI is blaming BJP and BJP is pointing fingers at SDPI. What is your take?

Khader: Action should be taken against whoever raises such slogans in support of Pakistan. The police department has to identify who has raised slogans. Immediately after the incident I spoke to SP and said that we require clarity in this. In Sindagi BJP activists were caught after hoisting the Pakistan flag. One of the leaders comes and tells that Ullal has become like Pakistan why he has not been booked or people protested against him. Why Police have not taken up a Suo moto case. Where he has done speech, BJP has not secured a single seat. They were not able to get a candidate there. People of Ullal are leading a peaceful life. The government and the police department should not allow for such confusion in the society. Recently, a graffiti was found in the city. Why this is happening only during BJP government. Why do these miscreants get confidence to do such offences? Anti-social elements do not have fear of BJP government. Law and order has deteriorated.

DW: How is Congress preparing for the next Assembly elections?

Khader: Congress preparing itself from the grassroots level. People are unable to lead a peaceful life because of BJP's misadministration. Only rich people like Adani and Ambani are leading a peaceful life. The common man is suffering without ration cards, pension, house, while prices of gold and petrol are skyrocketing, and subsidies for gas and scholarship amounts have reduced. Why should people vote for BJP? Some followers of BJP blindly argue that though the prices of gold and petrol increased, it is for the good of the nation. The prices of essential commodities will come down only if Congress comes to power. BJP drew contingency fund from the RBI, but what did they spend it on?

DW: To point out the failure of ruling party, a strong opposition is needed. Congress has failed in this department due to lethargy. Do you agree?

Khader: Congress will do only positive politics and not engage negative politics. Has Congress done any politics in front of mortal remains? We don't have any intention of holding strikes and scuffles unnecessarily. We will protest for a positive cause. Allegations against Congress are not a new thing. Pakistan got divided from India due to Mohammed Ali Jinnah as he claimed that Congress was supporting Muslims. Now BJP is following the same principles as that of Jinnah.

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