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: No, no, you were talking about Mahadev leaving the party. But don’t forget a man like Prakash is also coming into the party, who has a much wider appeal.

Karan Thapar: Let me put it like this: If you’re really so sanguine as you’re trying to suggest, then why has the Congress been asking for elections not to be held till December? Why is the Congress party so distressed that the Election Commission is holding them in May? You know you needed the time. You were hoping the delimitation would give you the excuse for more time, and when the Election Commission refused, you know that you suffered.

S M Krishna: I was one of those who welcomed the elections in the month of May.

Karan Thapar: Rest of the party didn’t, and you know it.

S M Krishna: No, it is a fact that the Pradesh Congress President, Mr Kharge, did suggest to the Election Commission that about 64 lakh voters were deleted from the voters’ list, which was something unheard of.

Karan Thapar: And Mr Moily made the same suggestion and Mr Moily was critical of the Election Commission.

S M Krishna: And so, when such abnormal developments took place, the suggestion was made by the Pradesh Congress President that a foolproof electoral roll must be the base on which the elections should be held and if, in this process, elections have to be put off by a month or two, then the Election Commission should not rule it out.

Karan Thapar: It wasn’t a month or two, there are six months till December. And you may be sounding technical today in your explanation but you know the real reason was you needed more time. You have to patch up the differences in your ranks, you have to overcome the problems you face externally, you need more time desperately.

S M Krishna: Well, yes, every political party needed more time…

Karan Thapar: Not every one! BJP wanted it immediately.

S M Krishna: Well, that’s what they’ve said for outside consumption but we know what’s happening inside.

Karan Thapar: Tell me this: Are you really confident? After all the problems you’ve been through – external, internal, not to mention the rivalry in your ranks – are you really confident Congress is going to win?

S M Krishna: We will be inviting you for the swearing-in ceremony as the Congress Chief Minister in Karnataka in the month of May.

Karan Thapar: When you say, ‘we will be inviting you,’ will it then be S M Krishna’s second swearing-in ceremony?

S M Krishna: Well, one of the Congressmen will be elected leader of the party in accordance with the procedures, with the conventions.

Karan Thapar: Let me ask you a blunt question. Can I invite you to give me an honest answer? Is S M Krishna a candidate for the Chief Minister’s job?

S M Krishna: S M Krishna will act as per the advise of Congress high command, which I have always consciously done.

Karan Thapar: Is S M Krishna hoping that he will be the Chief Minister?

S M Krishna: It is not a question of hope or expectations. The question is what the party wants, what the high command wants and what the people want.

Karan Thapar: If Sonia Gandhi gives it to Kharge, will you be upset?

S M Krishna: Certainly not!

Karan Thapar: You mean that?

S M Krishna: Certainly not!

Karan Thapar: Mr Krishna, a pleasure talking to you on Devil’s Advocate.