Former minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee vice president, Rani Satish who toiled hard along with Siddaganga math functionaries to organise Congress president, Sonia Gandhi's visit last week, candidly admits that though the event has given a much needed fillip to the party's efforts to woo the Lingayats, this is not enough to build bridges between the party and the community. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, she said the Congress will have to make the best of the opportunity to tap the Lingayat support base. Excerpts:

Q: Why was Congress president Sonia Gandhi invited to the Siddaganga math's programme?
A: Her visit has nothing to do with politics. It was an apolitical event. I was part of the Math's organising committee and the Math wanted to invite a distinguished guest to the programme. As I am a Congress member, it was natural for me to suggest Mrs Gandhi's name. The Math authorities immediately accepted my suggestion and worked on it.

Q: Though, you claim it was an apolitical programme, the event had the Congress stamp.
A: I am not responsible if others want to give a twist to the programme. According to me and the Math it was an apolitical programme. Did anyone from the Math or Sonia Gandhi herself speak anything about politics? When they have maintained their dignity why do you have to portray it as a political event?

Q: Is it true that the Math offered her a saree worth lakhs of rupees?
A: I read those reports. Do you think Siddaganga math would do such a thing? Math seers asked me to purchase a saree, I purchased a cotton saree worth Rs 5,500. The Math offered the saree to fulfil its tradition. This tradition of offering a saree to visiting guests is called Kana. It is a popular tradition among Veershaivas too.

Q: There is a new-found energy in the Congress after this event.
A: I don't deny this. I take it as a compliment that I have done my job very well. Yes, the programme has helped lift the spirits of Congressmen and made the party hog the limelight.

Q: Do you feel this programme will help the party consolidate its position among Lingayats who have drifted away from the Congress?
A: After a long gap, the party has made an effort to reach out to Lingayats, but I don't think this alone will achieve the goal. Now the ball is in the Congress court, the party should utilise the chance.

Q: What corrective measures need to be adopted by the Congress?
A: There is no short cut. The party will have to show more interest in wooing voters to its side. This is a long drawn out process. It is well known fact that the Congress has lost touch with the Lingayats for the last two decades. Lingayats in the party need to be accommodated properly by giving them suitable positions. Lingayat voters question us on what positions we hold? Many Lingyat leaders have no answer to this. When a community’s leaders do not enjoy power, it is certain the community, will feel let down and search for alternatives. Lingayats voters too did that.

Q: Why is the Congress facing a dearth of Lingayat leaders?
A: I don't agree that there's a dearth. There are capable leaders who can carry out any assignment. Earlier, when the Congress provided an opportunity, to Nijalingappa, S.R. Kanthi and Veerendra Patil, they earned laurels for the party with their vision and hard work. Even my father, H.M. Channabasappa did a credible job as minister. Given a chance, Lingayats will emerge as good leaders. They lack opportunities.