The Hindu : Q & A : S.M. Krishna

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Q & A : S.M. Krishna

Banking on his Government's performance during the last four and half years, Karnataka's Congress Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, is confident of storming back to power for a second term. He has launched a "Vijaya Dhundhubi Yatra" to inform the voters about the Government's achievements and to seek another mandate to complete the unfinished agenda. In an interview with Nagesh Prabhu, during the yatra, he answers a variety of questions. Excerpts:

Have three consecutive years of drought affected the Congress' prospects in rural areas?

I think Karnataka is the best example for conveying to other States how drought can be managed. If the drought had not been handled properly, during the last three years, there would have been commotion wherever we went. So that itself is, perhaps, a compliment for the drought management. So we don't need the Government of India's certificate. The Union Minister for Agriculture, Rajnath Singh, did give us a certificate by complimenting the way [the] drought was managed. But he (Rajnath Singh) was pulled up by the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership. Well, it doesn't matter to us. We are supremely satisfied and we have the strength and courage to go before the people to get a favourable verdict.

Are you not picking up a confrontation with the Election Commission by insisting on the participation of Ministers in drought-relief works after the poll dates have been announced?

I don't believe in quarrelling with anybody. All that I mentioned was that drought has a special meaning, with or without elections. Simply because [the] elections have come, [the] political leadership cannot abandon its responsibility. I think that is [the] policy line I am trying to pursue and that seems to be a very sensible line. If [the] EC has [a] different opinion about this then certainly there could be [a] honest difference of opinion. I do not agree with the EC's decision. I am only questioning the wisdom [of the decision].

Why have you not announced your candidature from Maddur? Are you contesting from an urban constituency where you are popular among the middle class?

There are middle class people in the rural areas also. I have not decided [on] my constituency. And the selection rests with my political advisor and the Congress high command. ... you will know my constituency when the list of Congress candidates is announced.

You are also popular among technocrats and are known as a "hi-tech CM." Is the Congress fielding technocrats and intellectuals in this poll?

Well, how do you differentiate ... ? Anyone who has a diploma is a technocrat. Anyone who has passed BE can also be termed a technocrat. Anyone who has finished BA is an intellectual. What is intellectualism? Intellectualism, according to me, is the spirit to probe. To probe anything which is said. We have so many intellectuals in the party and if more are coming then we will consider that.

Have you decided to give the party ticket to any intellectual?

While sorting out the applications perhaps we might run into one or two.

Was the decision to go in for simultaneous polls based on the consideration that it would help the Congress?

Either way it would have helped the Congress. I wanted to save the expenditure involved in holding another election within six months. It was that which decisively influenced me and the party high command. The Congress will win whether the elections are held today or in September.

At public meetings you have been seeking votes to complete your government's unfinished agenda. Can you explain?

I cannot spell out the unfinished agenda in great detail. For example, I would like to extend the mid-day meal scheme to sixth and seventh standards as announced in the budget. I would not like to stop at that and extend it to the 10th standard also. More important than that is the question of creating employment opportunities for rural educated youth. That is going to get the pride of place in my agenda in the second term. I think Karnataka has the potential to provide the springboard for such ventures. I am right now working on the blueprint. The details will be announced in the course of campaigning and for that I need a fresh mandate.

Are you going to include the unfinished agenda in the poll manifesto?

Some of it may be included.

What is the percentage of women candidates the Congress is fielding in the Assembly polls?

No, it brings its own difficulties. There has to be a level-playing field ... If there were a general reservation we would be forced to put up a woman candidate. So it will be a fight among equals. The Congress wanted to implement 33 per cent reservation but other parties did not agree. So you cannot insist that only one political party fields women candidates. That is not a judicious way of looking at things.

What are the major achievements of your government?

I think the governance. Previously governance had been ineffective. Now it has improved a lot. Reforms in the field of excise bring great revenues to the State exchequer without imposing new tax. The mid-day meal scheme has been a roaring success.

What is the major failure?

[The] failure to catch Veerappan.

The people believe that the State will not escape from drought if Krishna continues to be in office. How do you react?

Let us wait for this monsoon. If this monsoon fails perhaps their belief might be further strengthened. But Krishna has been there since 1999 and we received good rain in 1999 and 2000. Only in 2001, 2002, 2003 we did not get copious rain.

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