HDK gung-ho; sees getting majority

In a recent independent poll, H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) was voted as among the top candidates for the post of CM of Karnataka

In a recent independent poll, H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) was voted as among the top candidates for the post of chief minister of Karnataka. In an interaction with reporters in Bangalore on Thursday, he was emphatic he would not be the king-maker this time around but would be trying to form the government on his own strength. Excerpts:

What are your party's chances in these elections?
Pre-election poll has been conducted by independent agencies. But, I am confident we will be on top. With the present analysis, we should get a majority. I am working hard to reach the magic figure.

Would you be open to joining hands with the Karnataka Janata Paksha in case you don't reach the magic figure?

The people may give a clear mandate to the JD(S) because of the programmes announced. In North Karnataka I have taken up the main issues the people there are facing. I am especially concerned about the loan waiver. Other than our party, no other party has promised waiver of loans. That should help our cause. The KJP is the outcome of our fight against Yeddyurappa in the last five years. We damaged his prospects. He may not support our party. It is not necessary for us to join hands with Yeddyurappa because we exposed his illegal activities as chief minister.

What about providing support to the Congress or the BJP?
We have ruled out that possibility. We will prefer independent candidates.

Water is a major problem in Bangalore. If you win the polls, how will you provide a sustainable solution?
You can't get groundwater in Bangalore now. Borewell, even if 1,500 feet deep, doesn't give enough water. Our main supply is from Cauvery. But after this Cauvery Tribunal decision, we have been fighting to get more water from the Cauvery tribunal by putting a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before them. If we don't get Cauvery water, it is very difficult for Bangalore. We are fighting against the decision of Cauvery tribunal, to get a minimum of 50 tmc more water to provide drinking water, not only to Bangalore city but to several taluk headquarters as well and to more than 2,000 villages. For that will fight in future also.

Will you devolve more powers to urban local bodies?
Right now the state controls Bangalore despite experts and task forces repeatedly calling for decentralisation. In our manifesto we have said we will introduce the metropolitan planning committee.

We are also interested in the Mayor being directly elected.

How much of role will corruption play in these elections?
People are fed up with all the parties. They are not going to take any serious decision on corruption. They want their day-to-day problems to be solved by the government. They will support the party that takes this seriously. Corruption will have little effect on the election outcomes.