What makes you confident of winning and what aspects of your party attract voters?
I am confident of my victory, given the prevailing sentiment to grant PM Modi a third term owing to his extensive achievements. Furthermore, my longstanding 30-year association with Belagavi, coupled with my collaboration with the late Belgaum MP Suresh Angadi, has bolstered BJP’s presence in the region and significantly contributed to its holistic development during my tenure as CM and minister.
There are concerns within BJP about a potential division among Lingayat voters, particularly amidst debates surrounding Laxmi Hebbalkar’s affiliation with the Panchamasali subsect…
We’re focusing our election campaign on national issues such as integrity, safety, and security. Caste doesn’t play a role in our approach, and I refrain from commenting or engaging in discussions regarding caste or subsect matters. Our priority is to highlight Modi’s achievements and address national concerns.
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There were reports of opposition from some local BJP leaders to your candidature since they regarded you as an outsider
There was no such discontent or disagreement within the party or among local leaders about my candidature. It was Congress that attempted to fabricate this discontent or differences.
Will the Neha Hiremath and Prajwal cases influence voter sentiment?
While the Neha and Prajwal cases may be topics of debate, they will not impact voter decisions.
How do you reconcile your past criticism of Union minister Pralhad Joshi when you left BJP to join Congress, with your
decision to join forces with him when he sought to file his nomination?
I have never opposed Joshi nor made any statements against him. Therefore, there is no basis for a debate on this matter. Joshi and I have never been in conflict, and we share a good positive relationship that will continue. Following party discipline, I went with him to file nomination papers.
If elected, what is your vision for Belgaum?
My objective is to elevate the Belagavi airport to international standards and finalize all ongoing railway projects, including the Dharwad-Belgaum line via Kittur. I aim to draw significant industries to Belagavi, generating employment for locals. This involves establishing an IT cluster, fostering pharmaceutical industries, and creating textile parks in rural regions alongside agro-based industries.
