New Delhi: Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar Saturday exuded confidence that his party would win at least 141 seats in the May 10 assembly polls and asserted that he would abide by whatever the party decides on the issue of chief ministership.
In an interview with PTI, Shivakumar said the Congress will get a comfortable majority in Karnataka and the win would open the doors for the Lok Sabha elections as the party’s victory in the state in 1978 had done.
The Karnataka Congress chief lashed out at the BJP for raising issues such as the Uniform Civil Code and National Register of Citizens in its manifesto for the assembly polls, saying it shows their “bankruptcy” of ideas and vision for the state.
He also claimed that since the BJP has no agenda and vision for Karnataka, the “Modi factor” will not work in the assembly polls this time.
Shivakumar, who is a leading aspirant for the chief minister’s post along with former CM Siddarammaiah in case the Congress comes to power, said all stories of infighting in the party are created by media and there is no truth in them.
On him being a strong contender for the post of chief minister, Shivakumar said his first priority was to ensure that the party wins a majority in Karnataka.
“For me, the party comes first and the chief ministership comes later. On the CM issue, I will abide by whatever the party decides,” Shivakumar said.
Asked about Karnataka being the gateway to the south for the BJP, Shivakumar said the people of Karnataka have “closed the gate on the BJP’s face because of non-performance, corruption and large-scale unemployment in the state”.
People are supporting Congress in a big way and the party is coming back to power, he claimed.
Asked about the BJP in its election manifesto promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code and the National Register of Citizens in Karnataka if it retains power in the state, Shivakumar said this is precisely the problem of the BJP.
They do not understand Karnataka and its people, the Congress leader alleged.
On whether the Modi factor will work this time, Shivakumar said the Congress is fighting these elections on a progressive and development-based agenda. “We will provide Rs 2,000 per month to every woman head of the family, 200 units of free power to every household apart from free bus travel for women in KSRTC/BMTC buses and a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 to unemployed graduates.
Expressing confidence that the Congress would cross the 140-seat mark, Shivakumar said, “We will win at least 141 seats and form government with a comfortable majority. The BJP will be reduced to less than 60 (seats).” On the message that would be sent out through the Karnataka polls for the 2024 general election, he said Karnataka was just the beginning.
PTI

Press Trust of India