`Votes will switch to us because of inflation`

That is Arun Jaitley, BJP's national general secretary. On a mission to coast his party to victory in the Karnataka elections, Jaitley tells Rakesh Prakash in Bangalore how the BJP is navigating the poll waters.

You have been credited with having scripted several poll success stories for the BJP. How has the going been in Karnataka so far?

This is a challenging election and we are confident of coming to power on our own. The political environment in Karnataka suits us as it is completely vitiated by the price rise scenario which has hit the common man very badly.

The inability of the Congress government at the Centre to control the rising prices of commodities gives us strength to go before the people. Spiralling prices normally create a very strong anti-incumbency trend in politics.

How effective will inflation be as a poll issue in Karnataka?

Well, it has hit everybody across the board. We are looking at the four-five per cent of votes that would switch over to our side because of the price rise issue which creates a hostile environment.

What are the other shortcomings of the Congress that could work in your favour?

The Congress has not been able to project a leader for the state. Look at the way their leaders are campaigning. They are moving around without an issue on their hands. They are talking of the revenue buoyancy in Bangalore when they were in power. But the question that everybody asks is does a buoyant Bangalore deserve this kind of poor infrastructure.

But Congress has made stability the main issue...

The Congress cannot be the front-runner on that front. The arithmetic of this election does not suit them and we clearly have the edge. This election is a fight between the two main players and two side players.

Rather, it is like a game of four horses (referring to Congress, BJP, JD(S) and Bahujan Samaj Party). If two horses (JD(S) and BSP) die, it is advantage Congress. But if the two run alongside, it affects Congress. The steady horse in the game will be the BJP.

The Congress leaders appear confident of a victory