After the shocking defeat of BJP, former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai was in an introspective mood as he spoke to Bansy Kalappa of The New Indian Express. Excerpts.
What went against your party?
First, freebies offered by Congress caught the attention of the people. Second, Congress started early and the campaign was managed well. Third, BJP suffered anti-incumbency. Fourth, we could have conveyed our programmes more effectively to the people. Fifth, Congress played casteism and caste card. Last, a chunk of around 5-6 per cent of JDS votes went to Congress.
Are you going to be the opposition leader?
It is left to the party, which will decide shortly.
Former minister V Somanna said some people within the party did not support him. He has also blamed some party leaders...
He had the courage to contest in two constituencies -- in Chamarajanagar, against Puttaranga Shetty and in Varuna, against important Congress leader Siddaramaiah. He put in his best efforts and raised the level of the contest. He is disappointed. I will talk to him.
Parliamentary polls are just 11 months away...
We will work for a repeat of the 2019 parliamentary polls where we won 25+1 seats. We need to start putting in efforts early. After this debacle, we will put all our efforts into it. During the Assembly polls, it was exactly the opposite of what happens normally. BJP starts early, gives out tickets early and so on. But this time, Congress did that. They started early and gave tickets early. We delayed releasing the tickets and the manifesto. We could have done it earlier.
RSS-BJP leaders are already strategising on highlighting the differences between the two Congress leaders, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, considering Congress took five days to resolve the leadership issue. Your leaders are also thinking of highlighting future “corruption”.
Congress is trying to cover up disunity among its leaders. The unity between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar is a farce and it will take its toll. Congress is known for corruption. People will watch carefully to see what deceit they will indulge in. People will rise against it.
Your future plans?
Politics is not like cricket, it is more like football. In cricket, if one player performs it is sufficient, but in football all the players need to contribute. We need to take up issues and remain with people. It is important to play and not to remain mere spectators.
If you had more time in the government, could you have done more? Any regrets?
Yes, we could have done more as far as education, health, regional imbalance, uplifting the poor and other critical issues. These issues take a long time and require tremendous efforts.
The STs voted against BJP. Out of 15 seats, 14 went to Congress and one to JDS...
The ST leadership failed to communicate to the people what BJP had done for them. Some religious leaders in the community worked against us.
Was the experiment to bring in 75 new faces ill-conceived?
As an experiment to bring in fresh blood it is welcome. But time was too short to get a grip of the scenario.
Did Lingayats go against BJP?
Lingayats as a majority supported us. But certain sections went against us. Seeds of confusion worked for Congress.
Was it lonely at the top as chief minister?
Not lonely. Yes, there is tremendous responsibility and great efforts are needed to manage it. It was something extraordinary.
Many leaders say you never let arrogance and pride affect you. You remained a gentleman-CM.
Is it wrong to be a gentleman in politics? Being in power and being a gentleman is rare. I have seen power for a long time. I have worked closely with five chief ministers very closely and seen power at the highest level.