At 76 years of age, former chief minister Bookankere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa, a mass leader and formidable force within the BJP in Karnataka, led his party to becoming the single-largest party in the assembly polls in May 2018. The BJP bagged 104 out of the 224 assembly seats, but fell short of a clear majority (113 seats) by nine seats.
Though he staked claim to form the government and took oath as chief minister, Yeddyurappa stepped down within three days, as he failed to garner a simple majority.
Yeddyurappa, who installed the first BJP government in south India in 2008, has had more than his share of controversies. On July 31, 2011, he was asked to step down as chief minister by the BJP leadership after the Karnataka Lokayukta, investigating an illegal mining case, indicted him for illegally profiteering from land deals in Bengaluru and Shimoga.
Yeddyurappa also faced corruption charges in the illegal iron ore export scam in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga. He earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first sitting chief minister to be jailed on corruption charges. In November 2012, Yeddyurappa quit the BJP to float a new party—Karnataka Janata Party—and won six seats in the 2013 assembly polls. He came back to the BJP ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and led the party to winning 17 out of 28 seats.
In recent months, Yeddyurappa has been accused of making attempts to destabilise the JD(S)-Congress coalition government by conducting “Operation Kamala” (poaching of rebel MLAs), a charge he vehemently denies.
And in March, Yeddyurappa was at the centre of a new controversy as the Congress alleged he was recorded as paying hefty bribes, amounting to hundreds of crores, to BJP leaders during his tenure as chief minister in 2009. The controversy was referred to as 'Diarygate' by the media as the payments were allegedly recorded in a diary signed by Yeddyurappa. In February, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had released an audio clip that recorded Yeddyurappa allegedly offering to bribe the son of a JD(S) MLA. This controversy, not surprisingly, was referred to as Audiogate.
While Yeddyurappa has been acquitted by the courts in all the cases, he remains a soft target to his political opponents.
In an exclusive interview to THE WEEK, the Lingayat strongman says he is determined to ensure the BJP wins 22 seats in Karnataka to help his party cross the 300-seat mark in the Lok Sabha polls.
Yeddyurappa delves on the current political developments and the precarious state of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government and why he believes voters would give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a second chance.
In the May 2018 assembly elections, the BJP bagged 104 seats, but fell short by nine seats. You are accused of attempting “Operation Kamala” many times to install your government.
I did not attempt any Operation Kamala. More than 20 Congress MLAs are not ready to accept Kumaraswamy as their leader. The rebel legislators are quitting the Congress due to infighting. We are not attempting to grab power through the backdoor. We are working as any other opposition party would.
Why is your name being linked to the Audiogate and now Diarygate scandals?
One must understand all these (allegations) are fabricated. The Diarygate was negative propaganda, which made national headlines for two days. We will file a defamation case against the people making false claims. The authorities concerned (Income Tax department) have clarified that the page (of purported bribes mentioned in a diary) was fake. I too provided them my signature sample, which was found to be forged. The Audiogate is a conspiracy of Kumaraswamy. The voice recording is doctored.
Why do you think people will vote the BJP back to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls?
Five years back, when Modi came to power, he had made promises—of giving corruption-free governance and development programmes that can benefit the last man in society, of securing the country's borders and enhancing India's foreign relations. He has accomplished all these goals. Today, you see there are no corruption charges against Modi or any of his cabinet members. The economy of the country has improved. Traders have adapted to the GST regime and the economy of India has been equal to that of the US and China.
The opposition feels the Modi government's foreign policy and stand on national security is flawed.
Post-Pulwama attack, the nations of the world stood with India in condemning Pakistan, which supports, trains and funds terrorists. Is this not a diplomatic victory of the Modi government? Today, it is a 'new India' that will not bend but retaliate strongly and firmly, when attacked. We must remember that the air strike and attack on the terror hub (in Pakistan) was planned in such a way that no civilian in Pakistan or Kashmir was harmed.
What has been the Centre's approach to tackling poverty?
The prime minister believes in “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”. The income support scheme for farmers will ensure Rs 6,000 is directly transferred to every farmer's bank account. It is a historical decision as it extends a benefit of Rs 75,000 crore to 12 crore farmers. For the middle classes, the tax exemption is up to an income of Rs 6.5 lakh per annum. Tax exemption to small traders with a turnover up to Rs 45 lakh, monthly pension of Rs 3,000 to workers in unorganised sector, hiked pay to anganwadi workers, Ujjwala scheme (free LPG connections) to 6 crore beneficiaries and another 8 crore beneficiaries are in the pipeline. Around 8 crore toilets and 2.5 crore houses were built.
What about the economy and unemployment?
In 2014, India stood 11th among all world economies and today, we are at fifth position. The forex has grown from $120 billion to $230 billion. The world has appreciated the economic policy of India and coined the term “Modinomics”. There is no leader who can be a match to Modi. People talk about unemployment, but they don't connect the dots. Before 2014, how many households had a bank account? Today, there are 30 crore new bank accounts and Mudra scheme has 13 crore beneficiaries. It is an indication that jobs have been generated.
Will the Rafale controversy dent Modi's image or impact the polls?
Rahul Gandhi keeps talking about the Rafale deal. But the Supreme Court and the Comptroller and Auditor General find no substance in these allegations. In fact, the Rafale (allegations) has backfired on the Congress party.
Does the Modi wave still exist?
I feel the Modi wave is stronger now than it was in 2014. We will win 300-plus seats in the Lok Sabha polls. In Karnataka, we will reach 22 seats easily.
Do you think the mahagatbandhan of opposition parties would make it difficult for the BJP to cross the magic number?
When we are confident of winning 300-plus seats, why should we be bothered about their grand alliance's plans?
Where will the 300-plus seats come from?
BJP will retain majority of its seats owing to the Modi government's achievements in the last five years. And there will be additions too, from the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka and others.
Have you accounted for the anti-incumbency factor?
There is no question of anti-incumbency against the BJP. It is a conducive atmosphere. In Karnataka, the factors that will hugely benefit us are the achievements of the Central government, utter failure of the coalition government in the state and, of course, a host of good programmes given by the BJP government during our five-year rule.
What is your strategy in Karnataka?
We will go door-to-door to highlight the achievements of our government.
Will the Congress-JD(S) alliance prove to be a threat to the BJP? Will the 20: 8 seat-sharing agreement benefit the coalition?
The JD(S) has forcibly taken eight seats despite not having candidates in some constituencies. This has led to resentment and frequent fights between the allies. Pramod Madhwaraj (former Congress minister) was given the B form by JD(S) to contest from Udupi-Chikmagalur. The Congress ceded the Tumkur seat to JD(S) and their sitting MP, Muddahanumegowda, is now a rebel candidate. This is the case in many constituencies. The constant fighting between (Chief Minister) Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah will help us.
Will the JD(S)-Congress government survive after the Lok Sabha polls?
This coalition is not stable. The differences between Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah will only grow bigger as they both are feeling suffocated in this 'unnatural' alliance. You can expect more allegations and counter-allegations. In fact, you don't have to wait till the polls to know what is in store. Even through the election process, you will sense it. The situation in Mandya and Mysuru perhaps sums up the internal turmoil and animosity between the allies. I foresee a lot of confusion in the state. Any alliance will work only at the leaders' level and not at the grassroots as party workers are not ready to reconcile. In this case, the party workers are not at all happy with the alliance.
The BJP has given tickets to party-hoppers from the Congress—Dr Umesh Jadhav, who will take on Mallikarjun Kharge in Kalburgi, A. Manju against Prajwal Revanna in Hassan and Devendrappa in Ballari. Does it mean BJP has a dearth of good candidates?
No. Each of these leaders have joined the BJP as they have faith in Modi's leadership and BJP's ideology. We gave them tickets because they are all already very powerful leaders in their respective regions.
In Kalburgi, Jadhav, a powerful leader and national president of Banjara community, joined the BJP after resigning from the assembly. We have strong leaders like Malaka Reddy, who wields immense clout in the region. All this will greatly benefit the party.
Is BJP making inroads into Old Mysuru region? Your candidate in Mandya bagged nearly 2.44 lakh votes in the last assembly polls in the JD(S) stronghold. What will happen in this Lok Sabha election?
We will support independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh in Mandya, and we have very good candidates in Hassan and Ramanagara. In Chamrajnagar (veteran dalit leader and former minister), V. Srinivas Prasad will be contesting. I believe we have a bright chance of winning even in the strong bastions of the JD(S) and Congress. After our candidate, Preetam Gowda, won the Hassan seat in the assembly polls, the situation is conducive for us. Manju is a very strong leader, who can strengthen the BJP in Hassan.
In Old Mysuru region, the Vokkaliga leadership within the BJP has not been assertive enough compared with powerful leaders like H.D. Deve Gowda of the JD(S) or D.K. Shivakumar of the Congress.
This is not true! There are equally good leaders from the community in the BJP like R. Ashok, Mysuru MP Pratap Simha and Udupi-Chikmaglur MP Shobha Karandlaje. It will take time for us to make a mark in the region.
In Mandya, you have decided to support Sumalata Ambareesh. But it appears to be a JD(S)-versus-Congress battle. Is it politically wise to support an independent candidate instead of fielding your own candidate?
The Congress has not openly declared support to Sumalatha, but might be indirectly supporting her. But the BJP will openly support her. When Ambareesh was alive, they were praising him; when he died, they flew his body to Mandya to let his fans pay their last respects and shed tears. Later, they insulted him by asking what is Ambareesh's contribution to Mandya. Be it Revanna or Kumaraswamy, who badmouthed Ambareesh, the fact is people have revolted against them now. They stand exposed. BJP has decided to support Sumalata.
Karnataka is known as the gateway to south India. It was hard work by you and late Ananth Kumar that took the tally of the BJP from two seats to 110 seats in 2008? But you could not retain power?
The BJP had no presence in Karnataka. I have toured the entire state on my cycle and built the party. With a lot of effort, a party with only two MLAs grew stronger each day and finally came to power on its own by bagging 110-plus seats in 2008. The most sensible thing I did to save my party was to pull out of the JD(S)-BJP coalition in 2007. Despite a power-sharing agreement in the coalition (20:20 month rule), the father (Deve Gowda) and son (Kumaraswamy) did not honour it. After enjoying power for 20 months, they put forth conditions to transfer power to me. They cheated us. Within a week after assuming charge, I stepped down. I once again toured every corner of the state and in the elections that followed, we won 110 seats and ruled for five years.
Do you consider the 20:20 experiment with the JD(S) a mistake?
I believe that if I had stayed back with Kumaraswamy (in the coalition) after accepting their conditions, BJP would not have survived. They insisted on having portfolios of their choice, and wanted to include new conditions. I put my foot down and stepped down. Today, even a taluk panchayat president is reluctant to give up power, but as a chief minister, I chose to step down to save my party.
Kumaraswamy maintains neither you nor the BJP backed him, when BJP MLC from Ballari, G. Janaradhan Reddy, made grave allegations (of attempt to murder and Rs 150 crore bribery charges) against him.
How can I stop anyone from making an allegation? It was not my responsibility. He could have acted against those who were making such allegations. In fact, the former MLC stands by his claims even today.
Is Janardhana Reddy still a part of the BJP?
No. He is not with the BJP.
Why did the BJP lose the Ballari Lok Sabha seat to the Congress in the last bypolls?
The local leaders were not happy with the choice of our candidate—B Sriramulu's sister. This time, we are fielding a candidate who is acceptable to all local leaders including Sriramulu. We will get back the seat.
The BJP as a party continues to carry the communal tag, despite its development narrative.
Can you really call my party communal? The prime minister of this country is Narendra Modi, who works for all the communities. During my tenure as the chief minister too, I have never discriminated between people based on their caste or religion. Our welfare schemes have benefited all communities. In fact, nearly 40 per cent of the beneficiaries of the Bhagyalakshmi Yojane (Rs 1 lakh bond to every girl child) are Muslim women. Every girl on attaining 18 years of age will get Rs 1 lakh from the government.
The BJP cannot claim to be inclusive, when members belonging to the minority community don't get the party tickets to contest polls.
No. I don't agree. BJP, at least in Karnataka, has not reached a stage where we can field a minority candidate and win the election, as we don't get the minority votes. However, I did induct a minority community member into my cabinet.
You got trolled on social media recently for retweeting Modi's tweet on 'Main Bhi Chowkidaar'. You have been constantly projecting as the face of corruption, be it the illegal land denotification cases, audiogate or the diarygate.
Show me one supportive document to prove I am guilty in any of the cases. Let them prove one case where I am involved in corruption. All the cases filed against me have been dismissed by the courts. It is only a political conspiracy.
Why is Yeddyurappa the target always?
Yeddyurappa is a strong leader and they are desperately trying to tarnish his image. But people understand all this.
Is Yeddyurappa indispensable to the BJP in Karnataka? Will you be stepping aside since you have crossed (BJP's age limit for leaders of) 75 years?
I am 76 years now. But I am confident I will continue to be in good health and be amid the people. I will be contesting the next assembly elections too. My party, party workers and leaders have immense faith in my leadership.
The BJP mocks the Deve Gowda family, accusing it of dynastic politics. But you faced a similar charge when your son Vijayendra's name cropped up for Varuna constituency in the last assembly polls.
Vijayendra's name was proposed by the people and party workers, but I chose to abide by the party decision. To be frank, we would have won at least 5-6 seats more seats if Vijayendra had contested from Varuna and there would be a BJP government in Karnataka today. If Vijayendra had contested, Siddaramaiah's son would not have won and Siddaramaiah too could not have focused on Badami. My other son, Raghavendra, has worked in the constituency for the last 20 years and has been elected as MLA and MP. It is unfair to compare my family with Deve Gowda's family, where the sons, daughters-in-law and grandsons are in politics.
How do you think Karnataka should tackle the three big challenges—farm crisis, farmer suicides and recurrent droughts?
The government should focus on irrigation projects that can replenish the water bodies and irrigate fields. Only when the price of agriculture produce is fixed scientifically, the farmers can live peacefully.
How have the previous governments fared in tackling the farm crisis?
Kumaraswamy came to power by promising a total farm loan waiver of Rs 45,000 crore, availed from both nationalised banks and cooperative banks. But in the last nine months, only Rs 5,500 crore has been waived off. The farmers are not getting new loans. It is a total mess. Both the Siddaramaiah government and the coalition have ignored irrigation schemes, Mahadayi and Almatti issues. They have not created irrigation facilities or potential. The JD(S) has cheated the farmers.
It has been BJP's policy not to encourage farm loan waiver, but it has done it in many states including Karnataka?
Yes. I too had waived off farm loans. But the income support scheme launched by the Modi government is not a small step as it gives an assured income of Rs 6,000 to every small farmer every year to meet exigencies.