Ever since B Sriramulu launched his Badava Shramika Raitha (BSR) Congress, he has been touring the state. He walked from Bidar to Bangalore covering 924 km to register his party in the minds of people.
Sriramulu appears to be determined to restore the glorious days of his friend former minister Gali Janardhana Reddy and is confident of coming clean in the cash-for-bail case which is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Andhra Pradesh.
What made you float a new party?
The attitude of national parties and the injustice being meted out to the state by the Centre in important issues like Cauvery and drought. National parties treat state leaders very badly, taking us for granted.
Does the ‘injustice’ meted out to you by the BJP have anything to do with the launch of BSR?
Not at all. At present I am not dwelling on the past.
Why should people vote for BSR?
People have seen what national parties can do to them. The state was ruled by national parties for almost 60 years, barring one or two terms. People are disappointed with their conduct and believe that the BSR Congress will bring in change.
What are you going to do for the state?
As our party name suggests, our priority is to help farmers, downtrodden and backward communities which have been exploited for years.
How do you propose to do it?
If we come to power, the first thing we want to do is fix prices for all farm produce. If even a toothpaste comes with a Maximum Retail Price (MRP), why not agriculture produce? We will announce MRP for each crop at the time of sowing itself and whenever market prices dip below the MRP, the government will intervene and purchase the produce. We will give free education to meritorious students of BPL families. We also want to give `5,000 per month to pregnant women in the last two months and the first two months after child birth. We are also considering a monthly dole of `5,000 to educated unemployed youth.
Is there a chance of BSR coming to power?
I have toured 20 districts and the response was overwhelming. As per my calculation, the BSR Congress will win a minimum of 60 seats even if elections are held tomorrow. If elections are held in May, there is no doubt we will win 150 seats.
You must be aware that regional parties have no place in the state.
When Bangarappa and Urs launched parties, the social and political situation was different. They did it in a hurry, but we are going about it systematically.
Your hold seems to be restricted to SC/STs.
It is a misconception being spread by my opponents. In Gadag, there are not even 2,000 voters of my community. But my party will sweep the district. I belong to society and all communities support me. Wait for the results, the BSR Congress will surprise everybody.
There is a rumour that you formed the party to help the Congress come to power which in turn will help Janardhan Reddy and you come out of the legal cases?
Once again, this is the work of my opponents. I have faith in the legal system of the country and Janardhan Reddy will come clean of all charges. I don’t need to stand before any party for help.
Don’t you think former CM BS Yeddyurappa shadowed your party by launching KJP?
Though it appears to be the general feeling, I look at it from a different angle. More regional parties means more competition. More competition means more assurances to people. So naturally people will benefit. I am not bothered about KJP and it will not dent my chances in any way.