Siddaramaiah unsure about quitting politics, says son Yathindra in first-ever interview

The pathologist-turned-political-novice on his entry into politics, what he dislikes about his father and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and much more

Politics was never on his mind but the younger son of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Dr Yathindra is now the most popular face in the political circles in his father's turf. A reluctant almost-politician of sorts, Yathindra in his first ever interview said that while he was merely taking care of his father's constituency currently, he did not rule out entry into electoral politics.

These days Yathindra is busy campaigning for the upcoming bypolls in Nanjangud and Gundlupet. OneIndia's Anusha Ravi caught up with him on one of his campaign trails and got the pathologist-turned-political-novice, talking about his entry into politics, what he dislikes about Siddaramaiah and much more.

You had always maintained a distance from politics. What led you to change your mind?

Rakesh's (Siddaramaiah's elder son) demise changed a lot of things. After him, there was none to take care of my father's constituency. I am not comfortable with politics even now but I understood that someone had to share my father's burden. It was a difficult time for the entire family and me taking over helped everyone deal with the phase better. I was never interested in politics. There was also the threat of infighting looming large in the constituency. I did not want the constituency to go into wrong hands.

Will you contest elections? Your brother was very keen on electoral politics and would have contested the 2018 polls.

Yes, my brother would have definitely contested elections but I am not sure. I am yet to make up my mind about the same. What I know, is that my father would support any decision that I make. I am comfortable in Varuna and the people there. We need candidates who can win in Varuna and Chanmundeshwari in the next elections. If I contested elections, it would be from Varuna. My father may contest from Chamundeshwari.

Your father didn't want his family in politics until the time he was active. How does your entry change things?

My brother was not given a ticket in the previous assembly election because my father did not want any of us to enter politics. I do not know what he has in mind. He sometimes says that he is tired or politics and wants to quit but sometimes he believes that he needs to spearhead the party in the upcoming elections. The party needs a strong leader.

One of the reasons that he did not want his family in politics was his stand against dynasty politics. Would you agree?

A politician's son becoming an MLA is not dynasty politics. My father is a socialist and never preferred his family to ever be part of any government events or programme. I did not attend his swearing-in ceremony as well. But I do not think it is right for politicians' children to stay out of politics simply because they follow a socialist ideology. It is natural for most children to follow in their parents' footsteps and why should it be any different for politics? A politician's son or daughter is exposed to political life from a very young age.

How has life changed for you in the last six months?

I am not someone who is very comfortable with talking to people. I wanted to specialise in radiology or pathology so that I do not have to talk to patients often. I pursued pathology. Politics is very new to me. It requires me to engage people and it is different. I am learning and becoming more comfortable. I visited Varuna six months ago and introduced myself to the people there. They were dependent on Rakesh and are now in touch with me. I listen to their concerns and do what is possible. I am comfortable with what I do now but electoral politics is different, difficult. My conversations with my father have changed. From talking about household and family, we now discuss constituency and people.

What is your opinion on the Congress? Do you think the party needs reinvention?

Congress' ideology of inclusiveness, secularism, liberalism and social justice is good for the country as against rightist ideology of other parties. The idology is timeless and needs no reinvention. We could perhaps work on our approach and how we connect with the people. Our ways to reach people perhaps needs review. I do not know why the youth, those in urban as well as rural, are captivated by the thoughts of Hindu Rashtra, concept and are okay with individual freedom being curbed.

And your thoughts on Rahul Gandhi and general perception about him not being a bright leader.

I do not think that Rahul is not a bright leader. It is a false notion that has been propagated by continuously deriding him on social media. It is a fed concept, a social media creation. Fringe elements are on the rise. Someone like Yogi Adityanath and Sadvi Prachi who were deemed fringe elements are now coming into the mainstream. The fringe and its ideology may not be overt, but very soon every institution will be run by unsecular elements and minorities and backward classes will suffer. It needs to be stopped.

What scares you about politics?

Personal attacks by those in opposition is scary. I understood that when a controversy over a lab that my firm wanted to set up with the government. I, as a businessman thought that it was alright to engage in business with the government. It was thoroughly legal and my firm applied for tenders. But I found myself in the midst of a controversy. I learnt that despite being legal, it was not okay for a kin of someone in power to engage in business with the government.

What do you like and dislike about your father?

I started listening to my fahter's speeches only recently. He is a wonderful orator. His speeches are simple, interactive, impactful and humorous. He makes a connect with the people. I am trying to learn that. He works tirelessly and never complains or gets irritated. I have seen him work from 6 am to 11 pm. I admire his principles of socialism, secularism and AHINDA welfare and of course oratory skills. What I do not like about him is that he gets very attached to people close to him. The attachment compels him to defend them even when he knows he should not. He is too soft on those that he is attached to.

As we wrapped up this interview and stepped out of the car, Yathindra received a rousing welcome from people of Hosuru town in Gundlupet constituency. The support for Yathindra, his father and Congress at large was evident.

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