Of late, Opposition leader in the state Assembly, Siddaramaiah has become a favourite punching bag for his critics in the Congress and those in his erstwhile party, the JD(S). The Kuruba community strongman, known for his straightforward approach to issues, has taken the attacks in his stride. In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, he clarified his stance on why he wanted Congress leaders to visit drought-hit areas instead of attending a Congress campaign. He also had his answers to the barrage of allegations leveled by his bête noire and former chief minister H.D. Kumarswamy. While explaining strategies to bring the Congress back to power in Karnataka, he surprisingly chose to remain remain silent on his future role.

Excerpts:

Former chief minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy has launched a relentless tirade against you, accusing you of being soft on the ruling BJP. Why?
(Angrily) You should ask him. Why are you asking me this? I do not want react to his preposterous statements. He neither has any commitment nor the moral standing to raise questions about my integrity. I feel they are scared of me as I am a backward class leader. The Gowda family cannot tolerate anyone from the backward classesrising to a position of eminence. Therefore, they have unleashed a surreptitious campaign against me.

Mr Kumaraswamy has also dubbed you as a ‘failed Opposition leader’.
The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court has endorsed every issued pertaining to illegal mining raised by me during the last three years. We (Congress) took out a padayatra to Bellary about a year ago against the BJP's all powerful ministers, the Reddy brothers. Where was he ( Kumaraswamy) then? The issue of illegal mining came to the limelight only after the Congress took out a padayatra. Will you not consider this a success? Neither me nor our party leaders have any reason to be dissatisfied with my performance as Opposition leader.

You joined the Congress more than five years ago but you are still regarded an outsider. Why?
I do not know who tells you all these stories. Do you think the Congress would have appointed an outsider as Opposition Leader? The fact that they have appointed me and all legislators have accepted me as Opposition leader, speaks volumes about the fact that I am no longer an outsider.

But, your supporters have been openly claiming that you've been given a raw deal. What does that mean?
You are the first to tell me that my supporters have been making such a demand without my knowledge. I am satisfied with my present role as Opposition leader.

Although, the Congress scored a spectacular victory in the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha by-elections, the party is not free of internal bickering.
I do not claim that everything is perfect in our party but at the same time, I will not accept that we are facing an internal crisis. The Congress being the oldest democratic party in the country, leaders do express their opinions publicly. These should be considered as mere differences of opinion and not internal bickering.

Recently, you had raised your banner of revolt against KPCC president G. Parameshwar, for chalking out the Congressige Banni programme. What's wrong with the programme?
I did not oppose the programme, I only expressed my opinion that this was not the right time to organise the programme when we should be touring drought prone districts and meeting affected people. My views were endorsed by none other than Congress president Sonia Gandhi. So, tell me who was right?

Does this mean your relations with Dr Parmeshwar are not so cordial as they used to be?
We were good friends and we still good friends. Over the years, our relationship has grown stronger. It does not get spoilt only because we have different opinions on an issue. We interact on a day-to-day basis.

There has been criticism that you are forcing party leaders to visit drought-affected areas to improve your chances of becoming CM.
My first priority is to bring the party to power. To to achieve this, I made the suggestion and it was accepted be everyone.

So, it means the end of of the Congressige Banni, programme designed by none other than the KPCC president?
(Smiling) No, you are wrong. I did not say that the programme should not be conducted. I only asked him to postpone it. Once the monsoon showers cool the barren fields in more than 123 taulks hit by drought, we can always relaunch the programme. We will then start visits to every constituency to gear up the party machinery for the Assembly polls.

When do you expect polls to happen?
I don't think the BJP will opt for mid-term polls or face much turmoil in the days to come. Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa may lie low after the CEC recommendation for a CBI probe. But the ruling party has failed miserbly in handling the drought situation. People are seething with anger and the BJP knows what will happen if they go to polls. Hence, they will prefer to complete their term. But this will give us more time to build our base.

Will the Congress face elections under a single leader or a collective leadership?
In my personal opinion, the Congress never takes a decision in a hurry and they take them when they have to.