How have voters responded to your campaign so far?
■ People of the constituency are looking for a change. The incumbent MP, who has been representing this constituency for 30 years, has not met the aspirations of people and has never been available to address their grievances. The BJP MP did not speak a single word about the constituency in Parliament in its current term. BJP has now fielded a different candidate. Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri, a six-time MLA and former education minister, has not made noteworthy contributions even to his own assembly constituency of Sirsi. People are aware of these facts.
Will Congress’ guarantee schemes translate into votes?
■ Why shouldn’t they? The state govt has delivered on promises made in the manifesto. Beneficiaries say the govt has given them what they need for their livelihoods. Our guarantee schemes have helped negate price rise.
Will non-cooperation of BJP’s Anantkumar Hegde benefit Congress?
■ During elections, infighting in a party will help opponents. People are aware of what is happening in BJP. But that is not my concern. I am seeking votes on the grounds that I will work to uplift people. While campaigning, I have continuously engaged with people from all walks of life, and I’ve told them that I will work for them.
What is your response to long pending demands of the constituency?
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■ For years, people of the constituency have been demanding multi-specialty hospitals. The incumbent MP did not fulfill this. Trauma patients must go to hospitals in Udupi or Mangaluru. As a doctor, I understand concerns raised by people.
More than 1.2 lakh applications are pending over forest dwellers’ right over land they have been living on for generations. The Union govt has a better say in these issues, but a BJP MP has not even once raised these issues on the floor of the Lok Sabha. There are many other issues in the constituency that have not been resolved because of apathy by the incumbent MP.
BJP calls you as outsider…
■ If I’m an outsider, what would they call the prime minister who was born in Gujarat and is contesting from Varanasi? People who are talking about these issues either do not understand democratic principles or constitutional values. Human beings cannot choose their parents, caste, religion, or place of birth. It is the will of God. But we can choose where we work and for whom.
How do you react to BJP members taking a dig at you for wearing saffron peta?
■ I am Hindu; I belong to the clan of Chhatrapati Shivaji. I have every right to wear a saffron peta. I do not need any certificate from them.
