Everyone in Congress wants Rahul Gandhi as party president: Siddaramaiah

Former Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah has emerged as the tallest Congress leader in the state and hopes to bring his party back to power in the 2023 Assembly elections. However, he has also been engaged in a turf war with his bête noire and Pradesh PCC chief, D.K. Shivakumar, who is positioning himself as a possible challenger to his leadership. Siddaramaiah is both astute and perceptive and enjoys considerable support amongst the masses. In an interview to The Sunday Guardian, after his meeting with interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he spoke on various issues including on the consequences of B.S. Yeddiuruppa's resignation.

- PANKAJ VOHRA

Excerpts:

Q: You had a meeting with Congress interim president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi for nearly 40 minutes on Tuesday in Delhi. Was the future blueprint of the party on the agenda?

A: I have met Smt Sonia Gandhi many times in the last 15 years. She does not seem like a politician to me but like a committed social worker with strong concern towards the common man and his livelihood.

Her knowledge about contemporary politics and current events has always impressed me. Her assessment of any issue is from the common man's perspective, instead of like a seasoned politician. This perspective is highly valuable for us and the party.

Even during our recent meeting with the AICC president, she discussed the farmers' protest, pandemic crisis, inflation, unemployment and other pressing issues. I also briefed her about the initiatives taken as opposition in Karnataka to protest against the failure of BJP. She MP16 conveyed. her appreciation for our efforts to raise people’s concerns.

Q: Karnataka is perhaps the only southern state where the Congress can make a comeback. Do you see that happening in 2023?

A: There is no doubt about Congress coming back to power again in Karnataka. Karnataka voters are enlightened about the issues here. They will compare the mismanagement by the central and state BJP now with the inclusive development and corruption-free governance of our five-year term between 2013 and 2018. Usually, political parties forget the election manifesto after coming to power. During 2013-18, when I was CM of Karnataka, we delivered all 165 promises that were made in our election manifesto. I am ready to debate about this in any forum. Along with the promises made in manifesto, about 25 more programs were implemented. For example, Indira Canteen.