BJP has no chances in K'taka polls, says Krishna

IN POLL MODE: SM Krishna says inflation will have an impact on the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka.

        

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Keywords: Congress , Karnataka

S M Krishna: Well, there were very important reasons, you know. We had four continous years of drought. We had the Cauvery problem and then Veerappan problem. All these problems made the people restless. The biggest factor for the Congress’ defeat in 2004 – if I can say it – is the drought that haunted Karnataka for three successive years.

Karan Thapar: And this year you have inflation but let’s come to the problems you face this time. You see, it’s not just that the BJP believes they have a sympathy wave, your vote-share is under attack. People who should be your allies like the Samajwadi Party are, instead supporting your rivals – the JDS. The Bahujan Samaj Party is contesting every single one of the 224 seats. Your vote-share is going to be eaten into and you’re going to be attacked from both sides.

S M Krishna: Well, in an election, we do face such developments.

Karan Thapar: But this is a pincer attack.

S M Krishna: BSP even fought in 2004. They had set up a few candidates.

Karan Thapar: But they’re much stronger now.

S M Krishna: This time they may set up more candidates, I’m not disputing that but Samajwadi Party and various other, smaller parties have never been a factor in elections in Karnataka.

Karan Thapar: But look this time and see why they could be a factor. It’s not just that the BJP’s stronger. It’s not just that your vote-share’s being eaten into. Worst of all, inflation is cutting into your popularity. When it was 6.68 per cent last week, people were already blaming Congress in Delhi. Now that it’s seven per cent, they may consciously choose to vote against Congress to punish you.

S M Krishna: Well, inflation is a phenomenon which is being looked into by the Government of India. And yes, I will not rule it out as not going to be a factor – we have factored that also in our assessment.

Karan Thapar: How badly would inflation damage your electoral prospects in Karnataka?

S M Krishna: Well, it is too early to say how badly it is going to affect us.

Karan Thapar: But it will affect?

S M Krishna: It will, certainly have some impact on the…

Karan Thapar: In other words, tightly-fought seats, where with lower inflation you could have won, now with higher inflation, chances are you’re going to lose now.

S M Krishna: Well, that is a chance which we will have to take and we are ready to take that chance.

Karan Thapar: That’s the extent to which you’ve got problems. And now look what’s happened on top of inflation. Suddenly in the last few days, Hogenakkal water scheme has come to hit you like a blow. It’s an issue on which the UPA government can’t take sides, but in Karnataka, it looks like the Congress is going against the interests of Karnataka and worst of all, the BJP and the JDS do not feel any such constraint. So once again, you’ve got a problem, no one else has it.