'Margin could have reduced, but my vote share has increased'

A week before the election, Ananth Kumar had pushed the Bangalore Blueprint, his own agenda for the overall growth of the city. However, the challenge before him is that he is now in Opposition and convincing the government of his rival party to sanction the desired funds would be a tough job. Ananth Kumar spoke to G Manjusainath of Deccan Herald about his future plans. Here is the excerpts of the interview:

DH: How will you rate your and your party’s show in Karnataka?

It’s tremendous. I am overwhelmed. It is a humbling experience. Under the leadership of the CM B S Yeddyurappa, the party performed well in Karnataka. Bangalore too voted in favour of our party by electing the BJP candidates in all the three constituencies.

But your victory margin has shrunk as compared to the 2004 election. In 2004 your victory margin was 62,000 votes, now it has reduced to 38,000 odd votes?

 Victory margin could have reduced but the vote share has increased. In 1998 I got 4.28 lakh votes, in 1999 the total votes in favour of the BJP was 4.11 lakh. In 2004 I got 4.1 lakh votes but this time I got 4.38 lakh votes. This is despite the lowest voting percentage of Bangalore South constituency in Karnataka. The vote shares have increased invariably but the margin has reduced. I believe that Captain Gopinath took some of the BJP votes.

You had brought the Bangalore Blueprint ahead of the polls. Now that you have won the elections when you are going to implement it?

It will be implemented soon. We will persue it vigorously and see to it that our agenda reaches fruition.

How will you bring funds from the centre being in Opposition?

We will fight at the national level to get funds for our projects. No one can afford to ignore Bangalore and any such design would be opposed strongly. We are for Bangalore and its growth.

Did you expect such a poor show of your party at the national level?

Certainly not. It is beyond imagination.

Can LK Advani be held responsible? Will he remain the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament?

It was Advaniji who helped the party to rise from two seats in 1984 to current 119 seats. We need him and wish him to play the role of the Leader of the Opposition.