New Delhi, Delhi, India

Karnataka Minister's of State for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda spoke exclusively to WION. He said the southern states were discriminated against by the 15th Finance Commission. He added that states like Karnataka are being penalised for controlling their populations.

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He also said his state did not receive, despite consecutive droughts, as much financial assistance as BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra.

And he added that for the first time, the ruling party is in a position to break the jinx of no government being given a repeat term in Karnataka. Read his full interview here: 

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Q: What makes you so confident that you will come back to power?

A: We are the first government in the last several decades which is not facing anti-incumbency. We gave a stable government for 5 years which was missing in Karnataka for a decade and a half. BJP’s tenure saw three CMs whereas we gave a scandal-free government. In the previous regime many ministers including the CM had to go to jail.  On the other hand we gave a solid government.

Q: Are you saying you will buck the trend? No government in the past 30 years has been able to achieve this feat?

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A: We have seen the surveys and CM has travelled through the state. We are getting positive vibes. This is the first time in the last 30 years that a government in Karnataka is not facing incumbency.

Q: Your government’s relationship with the Centre has been pretty acrimonious? The 15th Finance Commission was the point of friction...

A: Our CM took up issues related to the rights of Karnataka. Whether it was the Cauvery water issue, or the state flag issue, or even the allocation of funds. The terms of reference limit the freedom of the Finance Commission to carry out a judicious allocation of resources. For example we are being penalised for controlling population. For this reason, allocation of funds to us is going to shrink.

 Q: Are you saying that the Centre is unfair?

A: Centre will be unfair if they refuse to sit down and talk to the affected states. We are willing to negotiate, that includes the progressive southern states. We are giving them the choice to sort out the issue but if they refuse, then I have no choice but to say that they are being deliberately unfair.

Q: Many would say that this election has boiled down to nationalism vs sub-nationalism?

A: I reject this and object to pundits sitting in Delhi who pass judgement on states which are culturally and linguistically different. People sitting in Delhi have no right to question the attachment we have for the Indian union. Kannadigas are more nationalistic than many others. If we want to be Kannadigas along with being Indians and if it cannot be digested, then it’s a problem with them who think otherwise. The Indian union makes space for all types of identities. The union gives this space. Kannadigas are nationalistic and if some people cannot understand our love for our culture and identity, then it is their problem.

Q: But critics say that issues like language and a separate state flag cropped up right before the election?

A: I will answer this at several levels. The issue of flag is not new to us. It was the previous government which issued a circular that gram panchayats hoist the state flag with the national flag. The courts struck it down on the ground that the flag has no legal sanctity, hence this issue became relevant to us and we are trying to legally solve the issue.

In fact, people in southern states picked up Hindi. Even in Tamil Nadu and Kerala people speak Hindi but when you try to impose it, then there will be a pushback, which happened in the last couple of years.

Q: Are you saying that the pushback is taking place because of a new cultural nationalism?

A: A single identity and uniformity are being thrust upon the country. Perhaps it comes from one region but the fact is that we are diverse.  I’m a Hindu but my celebration of Hindu culture is very different from people in other parts of the country. I come from the Shudra tradition of Hindu society and my forms of worship are different. Not today but in the past, sacrifices were part of Shudra culture in southern India. There is an attempt to impose one identity and one definition of being Indian and for this reason, there is a pushback happening. Allow people to be what they are as long it is legal. Some of the efforts are against the spirit of the constitution and this is what is leading to a pushback.

Q: The BJP swept the elections in 2014. Will the Modi effect persist in this election?

A: The Modi effect is on the wane. There is a palpable disenchantment with the leadership of the Prime Minister as he has not been able to keep the promises he made. Youth are beginning to realise that PM has not been able to deliver on employment and price rise. Growth and investment are in question. Smart cities have not come and there is no talk of 15 lakhs. People are seeing the truth behind the jumlas.

Q: You are in charge of agriculture. Congress says that allocation in this sector by the Centre is not enough. Why?

A: I will give you numbers. We were hit with drought for two consecutive years and we were given 3,000 crores opposed to Maharashtra which got 8,000 crores. Is it fair? It was the worst-ever drought. We were struggling to cope with the drought and the Centre was playing politics. Electorate is observing this keenly.

Q: Why was the decision on Lingayats taken before the elections?

A: It was an issue which was being raised for past several years. We did not create it. It is an old issue which the community had been raising for many years. Lingayat community invited the CM two years ago and asked for separate religious status. CM only responded to the call. The issue came up two years ago. We could not take a view overnight. It was taken to a logical end after due consultations and the report submitted to the government. We did not raise this issue nor took any decision immediately

Q: Can Deve Gowda’s party be a spoiler?

A: Karnataka has experimented with coalitions with disastrous results and I don’t think the electorate will go for it again.

Q: Is there a Vokaligga consolidation happening?

A: Vokaliggas are there but there are other communities as well. No one community can decide the fate of the elections and Kannadigas know that a coalition government can take the state several years behind. I’m confident that we will get a simple majority.