Modi knows my age, I am the next CM of Karnataka: B S Yeddyurappa

Yeddyurappa about the bypoll, the exodus of leaders into the BJP and why he is the BJP's only choice as the chief ministerial candidate.

Despite doubts being raised about him being the BJP's chief ministerial candidate in the 2018 assembly polls in Karnataka, Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party president B S Yeddyurappa is one hundred percent confident that he will be the next chief minister of Karnataka.

Before 2018, all his focus is now on the bypoll in two constituencies of the state. Yeddyurappa is not the one to slack it when it comes to campaigning for the bypolls in Nanjangud and Gundlupet assembly seats. The former chief minister has been camping in Mysuru for over three weeks now and has been leading the campaign from the front.

OneIndia's Anusha Ravi caught up with the leader on Tuesday before he started his campaign in Nanjangud. Here is what Yeddyurappa had to say about the bypoll, the exodus of leaders into the BJP and why he is the BJP's only choice as the chief ministerial candidate.

You have been leading the campaign from the front, what are your chances of winning the bypolls?

In both constituencies, we are going to win by at least 20,000 to 25,000 margins and we are 100 percent confident of winning both seats. We see a change already. At every village and rally, we see that communities are coming together. This is the first time we are seeing all communities opening up to each other. not only in Nanjangud but also Gundlupet.

How has the entry of Srinivas Prasad strengthened the BJP?

Prasad has been a minister for five years in Atalji's government. He did exemplary work as the revenue minister. A Dalit leader like him is of great strength for the party. After him, S M Krishna and Kumar Bangarappa also joined us. Prasad commands great respect not just from his community but from everyone here. He is definitely a strength for us

Will Niranjan Kumar beat the sympathy wave that is favouring Geetha Mahadev Prasad in Gundlupet?

As we see it, there is sympathy wave for Kumar. He has lost elections twice and his father has lost elections twice as well. There is no sympathy wave as I see for anyone else. The public meeting on Monday was proof enough of the massive support we have in Gundlupet. Close to 25,000 people had gathered in the hot sun without food and water for us.

Can S M Krishna assure you of Vokkaliga votes in Cauvery basin?

Cutting across caste lines, Krishna is going to add strength to the BJP. He will help us in all the places that we lag behind be it Ramnagara, Mandya or Hassan. Why just Vokkaliga votes elsewhere, Krishna will help us in Bengaluru as well. IT-BT development in Bengaluru is directly credited to Krishna. He has a stature and following of his own and it is going to be an advantage for the BJP. The Congress has but no choice to say that losing Krishna and Prasad will not affect them. When the results come out, they will see.

What are your projections for 2018 assembly elections?

The BJP has been planning for almost six months now for the 2018 elections. Since the time I was made the president of the state BJP, I have worked towards the 2018 elections. We will easily win 150 seats. It is assured that BJP will form the government next elections.

It is a general understanding that BJP has a 75 age rule for those aspiring to be Chief Ministers. If the same is implemented, who is your choice for the CM candidate?

Why? There is no such rule. There is no doubt about me being the chief minister candidate. I will be the chief minister one hundred percent. There is no question of my age being a constraint. Let me ask you, doesn't Prime Minister Modi know my age? Doesn't Amit Shah know my age? Being fully aware, they have announced me as the chief minister candidate. There is no such rule in the BJP that a leader above the age of 75 cannot be made the chief minister. I am the chief minister candidate.

OneIndia News