In coastal Karnataka, where issues like hijab, halal and polarization are playing an important role, the Congress seems very excited this time. The lone Congress MLA from the region, UT Khadar, in a freewheeling interview to News18 said that hijab is not an issue in the upcoming Karnataka elections and people are more concerned about development and basic needs.
He said parties like SDPI and BJP are trying to communalise and polarize the elections with emotive themes, but people are “smart” and will “vote for good governance over communalism”.
Edited excerpts:
The Congress is leading the campaign in Karnataka to highlight how the BJP has become corrupt, and to fulfill the five promises you made to the people when you came to power. How do you see it in Dakshina Kannada where there are issues of communalism?
The issue of corruption and the guarantee cards we have promised will have a big impact on voters. Ultimately, the undercurrent is against the BJP and it will be known on May 13, the day of counting. BJP is an anti people government which has not done anything for the people and they are also corrupt. When people are facing hard times and getting assurance of guarantee card, women getting Rs 2,000 per month, unemployed youth getting Rs 100 per day stipend, 10 kg rice and free bus pass, people know I am sure that Congress will do something better if it comes to power.
We raised many issues like Hijab, Halal and then reservation for Muslims. First I take up the hijab and halal issues. How has this affected your campaign?
Both the communal parties are trying to take advantage of this. Although people do not desist from such things. They may be worried, but they have better responsibilities at election time. People are not going to be swayed by this propaganda of communal forces. Congress has always respected the law of the land and justice will prevail.
So are hijab and halal not an issue in this election?
BJP and other political parties are trying to make it an issue. But people seem to have more serious issues to worry about. They want a good government at the center and in the state and that is the Congress. Every community is voting for Congress this time.
How has the issue of reservation been raised in coastal areas like Mangaluru, where a large number of Muslims live?
The decision to remove 2B reservation was politically motivated, which was taken by the BJP with bad intentions. When a government takes a decision with bad intentions, confusion arises. They (BJP) knew that this would be stalled in the courts. He decided to take the step at the last moment as he expected that the minority would react emotionally and protest and make statements and this would help polarize the BJP.
People are clever. The minorities have decided that they will not fall prey to this ploy of the BJP. No one cares what they try to grow. People, not only minorities, will vote against BJP and see that Congress comes to power and they can live a peaceful life.
There are about 13 seats in this area. Now you are the only Congress MLA from here. Do you see the tide turning for the Congress this time?
There is a favorable wave for the Congress. We should win at least six to seven new seats and we can expect more.
BJP has fielded 75 new faces in this election. How much is this going to affect you?
This time we also have a lot of new candidates; Even more than BJP, we have new faces in Moodbidri, Puttur, Udupi and Karkala. So out of 13 seats in Dakshina Kannada region, we have six new faces.
How confident are you about your new faces? Because BJP has full faith in its new faces.
Our fresh faces have better chances and they are fighting it. No matter how much they try to polarise, it will not translate into votes for them.
SDPI is getting very aggressive this time after the ban and the issue they are talking about is Hijab. How is Congress dealing with it?
SDPI is a political party. Why should we care about them? They have the right to contest elections, let them do so. Voters know right from wrong. They are contesting against us and can do whatever they want. They won’t even reach there.
you are doing a lot nukkad Meeting with voters. What issues are the public raising with you?
They are raising issues like corruption, inflation and water problem. These are the main issues that affect people. Whatever emotive issues other parties raise… people have decided that they have to change the government.
How sure are you about your seat?
My confidence comes from my workers, my party people and my voters. I have faith in him and my dedicated voter. The way my party workers are working hard and the response of the people has been phenomenal. Last time I had a lead of 19,000 votes, but this time my lead will be better than the last election. I have that kind of confidence.
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