The by-election for 3 Lok Sabha and 2 Assembly constituencies in the state has attained national significance as the political parties in the state have billed it as the semi-final ahead of the maha battle for Lok Sabha in 2019. The battle in Ramanagar Assembly constituency has evoked curiosity and excitement with JD(S) fielding Chief Minister HD Kumaaswmay's wife Anitha and the rival BJP trying to exploit the fissures in Congress-JD(S) alliance. Dismissing reports of trouble between alliance partners, Anitha in an interaction with TNIE asserted that she is the affectionate 'Akka' for people of Ramanagar. Excerpts of the Interaction.
TNIE: What is your take on the criticism that you have been fielded by JD(S) in Ramanagar only because you are the wife of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy?
Anitha: This is far from truth. I have cultivated my own identity through my involvement in public life since 1990s. I am not a political novice. I have been in public life playing supportive role to my husband HD Kumaraswamy. I have involved myself actively in the campaign and development works of Ramanagar as it was represented by my father in-law HD Deve Gowda and husband Kumaraswamy over the years. I am treated as their affectionate 'Akka'(elder sister) by people of Ramanagar.
TNIE: But there were other aspirants too for Ramanagar ticket...
Anitha: No. The choice was announced the day HD Kumaraswamy decided to resign from Ramanagar seat after winning in two seats including Chennapatna. People of Ramanagar accepted Kumaraswamy's decision to give up Ramanagar only after he accepted their demand to field me as the JD(S) candidate in the by-poll as they want Ramanagar to remain with Deve Gowda's family. I am the choice of the people of Ramanagar, not Kumaraswamy.
TNIE: Your rivals portray you as being inaccessible for voters as you stay in Bengaluru. Your comments..
Anitha: It is a baseless charge. I will visit the constituency atleast two days a week. I can reach out to people of my constituency any day within an hour as Bengaluru is so close to Ramanagar. The doors of my house are open 24 X 7 to people from my constituency.
TNIE: Opposition from local Congress leaders against alliance with JD(S) is threatening to upset your calculations.
Anitha: The issue has been resolved with the intervention of Water Resources minister DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh. Local Congress leaders including Iqbqal Hussein, the Congress candidate in the recent assembly election has been convinced to work unitedly with JD(S) to defeat BJP this time. Shivakumar himself has taken the lead to ensure active involvement of local Congress cadres to ensure my victory.
TNIE: What are your priorities if you get elected?
Anitha: Shifting of Rajiv Gandhi Health University from Bengaluru to Ramanagar tops the list of my priorities. Providing housing for the poor needs immediate attention. I want to provide houses for atleast 5000 families without any delay. Providing drinking water and sanitation also figure in the list.
TNIE: Is your actor son Nikhil set to campaign for you?
Anitha: Yes, Nikhil will take part in campaigning for 3 days in Ramanagar. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy are expected to devote one day for campaigning for me in Ramanagar. Congress leaders DK Shivakumar and DK Suresh are also set to hit campaing trail jointly with JD(S) leaders.