Speeding up 4-lane works, day train to Bangalore top priorities: Nalin

Interview

Speaking to Deccan Herald moments before declaration of his victory, he spent some time with Deccan Herald correspondent. Excerpts:

Were you confident of your victory?

Soon after completing first round of canvassing, I was sure of victory with a margin of over 35,000 votes. I had told the same to the media much before the polls. However, the credit of victory undoubtedly goes to party workers as it is their efforts which has paid dividends.

Amarnath Shetty (Moodbidre) and Gangadhar Gowda’s (Belthangady) support too helped the BJP. The votes in that region were not BJP, but were anti-Congress. Efforts will be made to convert those votes to BJP in future.

At the same time, though we were confident, we were not overconfident. We worked towards victory and we succeeded.

Any specific reasons for  victory?

The party workers’ efforts on the voting day in creating awareness and forcing people to go for polling resulted in high percentage of polling. Besides, the mandate has shown that a majority of voters have opted for Hindutva as I (BJP) had sought votes on the basis of Hindutva. I will live upto their expectations.

Rumours were making the rounds that you may not be able to effectively represent (speak) in the Parliament?

It is true that I may not be able to make good speeches in Hindi or English. But I have the enthusiasm and confidence of learning. Besides, I will also make a study on how to effectively take part parliamentary proceedings. On the other hand, there are several MPs in State who are experienced.

Whether church attack or pub attack affected the votes?

No. If it was so, the people would not have given clear mandate for BJP. In fact, there is a unforseen hand of the opposition behind the attacks.

Ram Bhat factor?

BJP voters have shown that they never give importance to any person. Party is more important that person in BJP. Nalin is not important, but the party.

A faction of BJP has been associated with disturbances in society...

Highest number of communal violences and gang wars have been reported during the Congress regime. BJP will try to establish peace. Any person trying to disturb peace in society will be sternly dealt  with.

How do you feel after winning against a political giant?

I am not new to politics. I have been working for the party for the last 20 years and I have seen many elections as a common BJP worker. I don’t have any personal differences with Janardhan Poojary. In fact, I had sought his blessings prior to polls and I will continue to ask his suggestions and co-operation in future.

Though the BJP MPs are representing DK for the last 18 years, the region, especially Sullia, Belthangady and Puttur has not seen any major development?

The BJP MPs may be in power for the last 18 years, but the BJP came to power in the State only 2 years ago. Ever since the BJP came to power in the State, a number of development works have taken place. Just compare the works done in the last two years to that of earlier period.

Meanwhile, if the BJP does not come to power in the Centre, then the development works in the district will be taken up with the help of State funds.

 I will put my best efforts for the development of constituency, so that the people could remember the works done by the party.