‘My father stays one of many tallest leaders’: Yatindra Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: The newly sworn-in Karnataka city improvement minister, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, son of former chief minister Siddaramaiah, is likely one of the most outstanding new faces within the DK Shivakumar-led cupboard. In an interview with HT, he speaks in regards to the Congress authorities’s priorities and in addition sheds mild on the discussions that preceded his father’s exit as chief minister. Edited excerpts:
The brand new authorities has already seen some friction over Cupboard formation. Is {that a} warning signal?
I don’t suppose so. The problems that got here up have already been addressed. Ramalinga Reddy’s issues have been resolved. There isn’t a main downside within the authorities.
Round 20 ministerial positions stay vacant. When will they be stuffed?
After the MLC and Rajya Sabha elections. As soon as these elections are over, the remaining vacancies will likely be addressed.
Will the brand new authorities transfer forward with the caste survey, as problem that was near Siddaramaiah?
Definitely. This isn’t simply Siddaramaiah’s problem. It’s a dedication of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi has constantly advocated a caste census throughout the nation and it was additionally a part of our manifesto.
There have been issues that the sooner survey was almost a decade outdated and {that a} recent train can be extra scientific and acceptable to all sections. That survey has now been accomplished. The report is prepared and, so far as I do know, it’s more likely to come earlier than the Cupboard round June 20. I’m assured the federal government will settle for it and transfer ahead with implementation.
The caste survey has confronted resistance, together with from inside the Congress. Has that opposition been overcome?
In a democratic occasion, you can’t anticipate unanimity on each problem. The sooner survey was questioned primarily as a result of it was outdated. The management needed to construct wider consensus earlier than taking a choice. A recent survey was performed and lots of the objections that existed earlier have now been addressed.
Siddaramaiah has lengthy been the face of AHINDA politics. Who carries that mantle now?
My father made it clear that he resigned solely from the submit of chief minister. He mentioned he would proceed to struggle for the downtrodden, AHINDA communities and the safety of the Structure. He’ll stay the main face of the motion.
On the identical time, AHINDA is larger than anybody individual. Extra leaders should emerge and contribute to the trigger.
What position do you anticipate Siddaramaiah to play now?
He stays one of many Congress occasion’s tallest leaders. He’ll proceed to information the occasion, stay energetic in Karnataka politics and lift points regarding weaker sections and the downtrodden.
Some leaders counsel your Cupboard induction was influenced by your father’s political stature and the Congress’ have to reassure the Kuruba neighborhood after his exit. Is that truthful?
I feel each components might have performed a task. My father was the one chief minister from the Kuruba neighborhood and there was naturally disappointment when he stepped down. The occasion might have felt that having a member of his household within the Cupboard would assist deal with a few of these sentiments.
Critics say you have been most well-liked over extra skilled legislators.
Each authorities wants a stability between senior leaders and the subsequent technology. Alternatives needs to be accessible to each. The truth is, discussions about my induction had begun inside the occasion even earlier than my father travelled to Delhi for management consultations.
How did Siddaramaiah react when the management knowledgeable him that he must step down?
He had a one to at least one assembly with Rahul Gandhi and was advised that, within the curiosity of the occasion, he must step down. He was shocked as a result of once they had spoken just a few months earlier, there had been no indication of a management change.
Naturally, if he had recognized earlier, he would have been mentally ready. However he has nice respect for Rahul Gandhi and accepted the occasion’s determination.
Later, throughout one other assembly that I additionally attended, Rahul Gandhi advised him that the household can be taken care of. Varied choices have been mentioned, together with a Rajya Sabha berth for my father and even for my mom, however he declined them.
Does your place as city improvement minister create a battle of curiosity given the MUDA case involving your mother and father?
The investigation has been accomplished and a B report was filed. The courtroom accepted that report and granted reduction to these concerned. Though the matter is being challenged in larger courts, the investigation itself is over. I don’t see a battle of curiosity.
You’re typically considered via the prism of your father’s legacy. How do you construct an impartial political id?
Comparisons are inevitable as a result of my father is such a big political determine. However I don’t suppose an id is constructed via dramatic gestures. In case you stay dedicated to your ideology, work sincerely and keep linked to individuals, your personal id develops over time.
Politics was not your unique profession plan. What modified?
I entered politics in 2016 after my brother’s sudden loss of life. Earlier than that, I used to be targeted on my career and had constructed a diagnostic laboratory. My brother was the one who was deeply thinking about politics.
After his loss of life, many individuals felt somebody ought to proceed that work. Initially, I solely anticipated to assist handle the Varuna constituency as a result of my father had restricted time as chief minister. Over time, my involvement elevated and I turned satisfied that I might make a profession in politics.
