Diarygate is propaganda: Yeddyurappa in exclusive interview to THE WEEK

B.S. YEDDYURAPPA is the man responsible for the BJP gaining a foothold in Karnataka. He led the party to a simple majority in the 2008 assembly polls and became the BJP’s first chief minister in the south. The mass leader suffered his share of setbacks, too, and was forced to step down as the chief minister in 2011 over corruption allegations.

While the 76-year-old continues to be a formidable force, he is also a soft target for his opponents. He recently got embroiled in the “diarygate” scandal. The Congress accused that he had paid Rs1,800 crore to various BJP leaders, based on photocopies of handwritten entries in a diary that allegedly belonged to him. He dismissed all allegations saying that diarygate was fabricated, and the court had cleared him in other cases.

In an exclusive interview, the Lingayat strongman said diarygate is fabricated, and that he is determined to win 22 of Karnataka’s 28 Lok Sabha seats. Edited excerpts:

Why would the people vote the BJP back to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls?

Five years back, [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi made promises—corruption-free governance, development that benefits all, securing the country’s borders and enhancing foreign relations. He has accomplished all these. There are no corruption charges against Modi or any of his cabinet members. The economy of the country has improved and traders have adapted to the GST regime.

The opposition feels that the Modi government’s foreign policy and its stand on national security is flawed.

Post the Pulwama attack, the nations of the world stood with India in condemning Pakistan. Was that not a diplomatic victory? Today, we have a new India that will not bend when attacked, but will retaliate strongly.

Does the Modi wave still exist?

I feel the Modi wave is stronger now than it was in 2014. We will win 300-plus seats in the Lok Sabha polls. In Karnataka, we will win 22 easily.

Where will the 300-plus seats come from?

The BJP will retain most of its seats owing to the Modi government’s achievements. And, there will be additions from West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka and other states.

What is your strategy in Karnataka?

We will go door-to-door to highlight the achievements of the government.

Your name was linked to audiogate, and now diarygate. You have been constantly projected by the opposition as the face of corruption.

One must understand that all these are fabricated. Diarygate is propaganda which made national headlines for two days. We will file a defamation case against people making false claims. The concerned authorities (income tax department) have said that the page was fake. Audiogate is a conspiracy by [Karnataka Chief Minister] H.D. Kumaraswamy. The voice recording is doctored.

Show me one document to prove I am guilty. Let them prove one case where I am involved in corruption. All the cases filed against me have been dismissed by the courts. It is only political conspiracy.

Why is Yeddyurappa always the target?

Yeddyurappa is a strong leader and they are desperately trying to tarnish his image. But people understand all this.

Will the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) alliance prove to be a threat to the BJP?

The JD(S) has forcibly taken eight seats despite not having candidates in some constituencies. This has lead to resentment and frequent fights between the allies. The Congress ceded the Tumakuru seat to the JD(S) and the sitting MP is now a rebel. This is the case in many constituencies. The friction between Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah will help us.

The BJP has given tickets to Congress turncoats—Dr Umesh Jadhav (Kalaburgi), A. Manju (Hassan) and Y. Devendrappa (Ballari). Does it mean the BJP has a dearth of good candidates?

No. Each of these leaders have joined the BJP as they have faith in Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s ideology. Jadhav, national president of the Banjara community, joined the BJP after resigning from the house. We gave them tickets because they are all powerful leaders in their regions.

Is BJP making inroads into the Old Mysuru region, a JD(S) stronghold? Your candidate in Mandya bagged 2.44 lakh votes in the last assembly polls.

We will support independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh in Mandya, and we have very good candidates in Hassan and Ramanagara. In Chamarajanagar, (veteran dalit leader and former minister) V. Srinivas Prasad is contesting. We have a good chance of winning. After our candidate Preetham Gowda won the Hassan seat in the assembly polls, the situation is conducive for us.

In Mandya, it appears to be a JD(S) versus Congress battle. Is it politically wise to support an independent candidate instead of fielding your own candidate?

The Congress has not openly declared support to Sumalatha, but it might be tacitly supporting her. But the BJP will support her openly. When Ambareesh was alive, they [the Congress and JD(S)] were praising him. When he died, they flew his body to Mandya to let his fans pay their last respects. Later, the JD(S) insulted him by asking what was Ambareesh’s contribution to Mandya. They stand exposed. The BJP has been consistent.

The BJP lost the Ballari Lok Sabha seat to the Congress in bypolls. Why?

The local leaders were not happy with the choice of our candidate—B. Sriramulu’s sister [V. Shanta]. This time, we are fielding a candidate who is acceptable to all local leaders, including Sriramulu. We will get back the seat.

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