We welcome citizenship law and will implement it: Karnataka CM

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has finally brought some stability to the over four-month-old government led by 76-year-old chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa by winning 12 of the 15 assembly seats for which bypolls were held recently. This put to rest any imminent threat of dissent against Yediyurappa, which had added to fears of the already prolonged period of political uncertainty in the state continuing.

The victory of the defectors raises questions about political morality, but the vote is perceived to be in favour of stability and the hope of governance, especially after the devastating floods in Karnataka.

In an interview, Yediyurappa spoke about the factors that helped BJP win 12 seats, his priorities, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Edited excerpts:

What is Karnataka’s stand on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and CAA?

We welcome CAA and we will implement it. Everyone has cooperated, except for some states. Any decision of the Centre (including NRC) is our decision as well.

Did you expect to win 12 out 15 seats in the bypolls?

I have been saying this from the beginning, but the Opposition took us lightly and asked people not to give us a majority. Leads of 30,000-45,000 votes are very rare in bypolls. People have supported us beyond our expectations. There was only confusion during Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) rule and they did nothing for development. People were aware of the good work I did during the floods and thought I should complete my term.

Is it safe to assume that dissent against you within the party has ended?

There was never any dissent. Our state president has given us full cooperation. Only because we worked as a tight-knit, strong organization were we able to win 12 seats. This is not just Yediyurappa’s effort.

How did you manage to win K.R. Pete and Chikballapur?

So far, we could not open our account in these districts and there was a special effort by Vijayendra (Yediyurappa’s younger son), who camped there for more than 25 days. His effort, the compassion for Narayana Gowda (BJP candidate from K.R. Pete), and the teamwork paid off. There was talk that we did not have the support of the Gowdas (Vokkaligas) but we received the support of all communities and our base has increased. Kurubas, Vokkaligas, and others have won from our party and will now become ministers.

People have gone beyond all these considerations and voted for us. The weightage for caste considerations has and should come down. Development should be the only platform for elections.

How will you manage aspirations during the cabinet expansion?

This is unavoidable in politics but we have to manage it. In the next few days, I will go to Delhi, meet (BJP president) Amit Shah and get it done. Those who we have assured will be made ministers. There is no truth to reports that there will be two more deputy chief ministers.

What role did the party high command play in the bypolls?

Our MPs worked together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah gave us their cooperation and a free hand that enabled us to achieve this victory. Modi, Shah, and the central leadership are the reason for this victory.

What is your agenda for the state?

Development is our first agenda and we will tighten our administration. There was some confusion among officials until the election was complete but now we have a clear majority. Farmers are like my two eyes and within a day of my taking office, I announced ₹4,000 (annually in two instalments) for the state’s farmers in addition to the ₹6,000 given by the Centre to a farmer annually. We will focus on irrigation, getting scientific prices for farm produce, filling up lakes and making use of our full reservoirs. I will focus on Yethinahole and also look to get clearance for Mahadayi also. We will formulate policies to help achieve Modi’s vision of doubling of farmers’ income by 2022.

What is your plan for Bengaluru?

We are giving a lot of focus on Metro rail, Ring Road, and all central programmes. It is inevitable that we focus on Bengaluru and it is our duty to develop it. We will also have a special focus on women’s safety to ensure not even a small untoward incident occurs in the state. We will give another 200 patrol vehicles for beats between 8pm and 6am.

Are you expecting more trouble from Siddaramaiah, H.D. Deve Gowda, and the rest of the Opposition?

In politics, they will do their jobs as Opposition and we will do ours as the ruling party. This is all part of it and we can’t break our heads over this. Now that the elections are over, I request that all of us come together and think of developing the state. I am hopeful they will cooperate.