A day after he was elected leader of the Congress legislature party (CLP), Chief Minister designate Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that he would not indulge in vindictive politics, and that his adversaries had spread the word that he was against government employees.
In an exclusive interview to Deccan Chronicle, the 64 year-old leader said he would ensure that all ministers worked from Vidhana Soudha and visited their respective districts at regular intervals.
He said he would not yield to any lobby and vowed to keep his sons out of politics, adding “I will not promote dynastic politics. All through my political career, I have kept my family away. Nothing will change.”  
The Congress high command has chosen Siddaramaiah who is only seven years old in the party against Congressmen who have spent more than 40 years. How did you feel?
That was the party high command's decision. I do not want to comment.
You could not become the Chief Minister twice. But this time, you were lucky. What is your reaction?
Now, my responsibility has doubled. I got this opportunity and I have to utilise it properly.
You said you will provide good governance. What do you mean?
I mean it should be propeople. The governance should instil confidence among the public. The people were fed up with corruption, so our government has to weed out corruption. What we will do should be totally democratic, and we should be accountable to the public.
Twice in the past, you were the deputy chief minister. But then, you were in Janata Dal (S). Now, you are the Chief Minister in a national political party. You may have to compromise a lot. Do you still believe you can give good governance?
Why not? Transparency and good governance is not new. No party will tell you to administer against your own conscience. Whether it is JD(S) or Congress, it should be legal andjust.
Can you give good governance keeping in view the lethargy in bureaucracy?
The horse might be same. 
It depends on who will be the jockey. It is the clever jockey who will take the horse to winning post. If we are committed to good governance, they will do it.
You said you will send many BJP leaders, charged in many scams, to jail. Will you do it now or have you changed your mind?
Yes, I said that. But we have to go by law. I cannot disregard the law and put every one in jail. There is a process to do that. They have to stand the test of trial, the court will then decide. I like to make one thing clear. I will not indulge in vindictive politics.
During the BJP's tenure, very few ministers used to attend work at Vidhana Soudha. What is your idea?
I am very clear about this. District in-charge ministers have to frequently visit their districts and review implementation of government programmes. When they return to the state capital, they should attend office at Vidhana Soudha. They can meet the public at their residence. The BJP ministers made a big mistake which we will not.
Government employees never liked you. Your comment?
That's a wrong notion. My opponents have created it.
You said you will give good governance. But considering the high incidence of criminal antecedents of Congress MLAs and more number of real estate agents getting elected on your party ticket, they may influence you. Do you think you can still give good governance?
One thing I would like to make it clear. I do not yield to any lobby. That's for sure.
What will be your priorities?
I have to bring fiscal discipline and give a thrust to mobilization of resources. Then of course, I have to focus on power, education and social sectors.
JD (S) state unit president, H.D. Kumaraswamy, who dislikes you the most, is all set to become the opposition leader?
I like a strong opposition. I welcome leaders like Kumaraswamy because when the opposition becomes active, the government and ministers too become active and work hard.
Considering the fact that several leaders aspired to become the Chief Minister, do you think that formation of the ministry formation will be a problem?
No, I do not think it will be a problem. I will take every one into confidence.
Will you continue good programmes started by the BJP government?
Did the BJP government start any good programme? You name one, and I will continue that!
Yeddyurappa had Raghavendra and Vijayendra. You have Rakesh and Yatindra. What can we expect?
I won't promote dynastic politics. All though my political career, I kept my family away. Nothing will change now.