Independent MLA B. Sreeramulu is on a padayatra seeking political rebirth after breaking away from the BJP last year for refusing to lend support to him or the Reddy brothers when they were implicated in the illegal mining scam. The former health minister who won a byelection in Bellary by a huge margin and has launched his own outfit—BSR Congress— says he has a point to prove that regional parties too can make it big in Karnataka. Excerpts:

What is the purpose of your padayatra?
Nearly 123 taluks in the state are reeling under the impact of drought. I had drawn the attention of the government to the drought situation, but they paid little attention to tackling it. I have not undertaken this padayatra to get recognition or grab power.

When did the idea originate?
I drew inspiration from various others who have undertaken such padayatras in the past. For example Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Chandrashekhar undertook padayatras and became successful in their mission. I have undertaken this to wipe the tears from the eyes of farmers and those belonging to the downtrodden sections.

Were you also inspired by former Andhra Pradesh CM late Y.S. Rajashekhar Reddy?
Rajashekhar Reddy undertook a padayatra and was successful in achieving his goal.

You belong to a downtrodden community. Was it necessary to launch the padayatra to know the problems of people?

This padayatra is a dandayatra to me. I feel that something good will happen through my yatra.

There was a big gap between you and the common man when you were in power. Would you like to bridge the gap now?
It is wrong to assume that I drifted away from the people when I was in power. I introduced many schemes beneficial to the common man such as 108 Arogya Kavacha and Vajpayee Arogya Shree. But the BJP which came to power with our help, tried to destroy us.

Many experiments to form regional parties have failed in the State? Do you think you will succeed in your endeavour?
There is an awakening among people. National parties have become irrelevant in our country. This is evident from the results in the Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Bihar Assembly polls. In future no individual with pride will approach a national party to seek solution to his problems. I want to disprove the assumption that a regional party cannot be built in our state. I will ensure that my party comes to power.

Your focus is on north Karnataka? What is your strategy to win voters in south Karnataka?
This is only the first phase. In the next stage I will tour Hassan, Mangalore, Udupi and other districts.

You are seen as a Valmiki community leader? Do you think you can reach out to other communities too?
I may be born in the Valmiki community. But what is important are the qualities an individual possesses and not the community in which he is born. I think that I have the qualities required to take all communities together.

There are no big leaders with you. How are you going to make up for this deficit?
Whether I come to power or not is the wish of God. I would like to ask you if one wins an election because of the support of people or leaders? I don’t want any leaders with me, I want only people.

Do you think you can take this fight to its logical end without the help of Janardhan Reddy?
I really miss my best friend Janardhan Reddy. I know I am alone, but there is no question of going back. I will singlehandedly complete this mission.