He is no stranger to controversy. Last week, during a Congress rally, party leader D.K. Shivakumar openly contradicted Union minister of state for railways, Mr K.H. Muniyappa, over admitting leaders from other parties. In an interview to Deccan Chronicle, he disclosed that he had given the suggestion to the party that every week it should induct a leader from other parties. He talks about many issues, including his fight against JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and his association with External affairs minister S.M. Krishna.
Last week, at the inauguration of Congressige Banni rally, you differed with a few leaders like K.H. Muniyappa over bringing back leaders from other parties. What is your stand on this issue?
Over these years, we lost our vote base. Many communities like Lambanis moved away who were eventually hijacked by BJP. We have to admit the fact that in many constituencies, we have been relegated to third or fourth position. Politics is a numbers game. See what happened in Channapatna. Once, it was our pocket borough. Now, we lost it after our MLA crossed over to the BJP. We have to identify and nurture new leaders in every constituency where we are weak. As long as newcomers accept the party’s principles, ideology and Soniaji’s leadership, we do not mind admitting leaders into the party. Late Indira Gandhi admitted late Veerendra Patil into the Congress even though he once fought an election against her.
But Union railways minister K.H. Muniyappa opposed the idea of laying a red carpet to leaders from other parties. Comment. His view gives ample proof on why the Congress is losing ground in his home district Kolar. He got K. Srinivas Gowda expelled from the party. Mr Muniyappa owes a reply for the party losing its base in the district.
** The new leaders may ask for their pound of flesh in terms of position. How will the party handle this?
In Congress, it cannot happen. We can never witness leadership crisis like in BJP, because our high command is very strong. You cannot ask for power in our party. Frankly, we do not want namesake leaders. We want leaders in every booth, at taluks and in districts to join Congress.
** Former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had made a startling revelation that Congress leaders took Rs 20 crore from Mr Yeddyurappa in return for fielding weak candidates in eight by-polls held after 2008.
(Laughs) He is a born liar. Lying is his strong point. Since this man (Kumaraswamy) is so eager to take a vow before Lord Manjunatha on every issue, I am ready to throw a challenge. I will come to Dharmasthala and, in front of the deity, let him give proof of who took Rs 20 crore.
** Supporters of Siddaramaiah feel that he was given a raw deal. Where lies the truth?
Actually, I cannot reply to this question. You have to ask him. Still, I can comment as a Congressman. This is not true. He never got such respect even in Janata Dal. After he joined the Congress, within years, he was made the Congress Legislature Party leader. We accepts whatever the high command says. When the party made him the CLP leader, we accepted him as disciplined soldiers of the party. We never suspected his commitment.
** Many feel you no longer enjoy the confidence of external affairs minister S.M. Krishna. What happened?
I am hearing this for the first time from you. Any way, I know what happened after he lost the assembly elections in 1994. I, along with T.B. Jayachandra, K. Shivamurthy and Nafees Fazal, went to him and persuaded him to take centre stage. It paid dividends in two ways: the State benefited and so did the Congress. I have to be frank. I, like many others, grew under his guidance. He is like a big banyan tree. He is an institution himself. I have no reply for those who make such comments.
** Many leaders including a few in the Congress, say that in the last six years, you have lost the golden opportunity to emerge as a big leader because of your tainted image. What is your reaction?
They are free to make comments. Those who are making allegations against me, had charged that I had a secret pact with former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. Isn’t it? I know the tricks these leaders pull. That was a baseless charge. Just to mislead Soniaji and central leaders in New Delhi, these leaders here indulge in mudslinging. They try to mislead public and get false news about me written. Their motto is to malign me but I am sure, they will not succeed after a point. I am 51 now. How long can they indulge in such a campaign? Let us presume that they would do it for 10 years. Even after 10 years, I will be 61 and still can emerge as the leader. They cannot stop me then. Fortunately, I come from an area which has produced several chief ministers. This will help me consolidate my position. So, such malicious campaigns cannot last long.
** You have a running feud with forest minister C.P. Yogeshwar. He made very serious charges against you and ordered a probe too. What if this probe brings out evidence?
On his (Mr Yogeshwar) insistence, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda ordered a probe. The IAS officer, Mr M. Sanaulla, had already investigated the matter. I would like to request the chief minister to make the report public.