Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vice President B.Y. Vijender at his residence in Bengaluru on March 24. Photo Credit: ANI
For BY Vijayendra, this is his first election as a candidate. However, being the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and the state vice-president of the BJP, campaigning is not new to him. He took charge of managing the crucial bye-elections in KR Pet and Sira assembly constituencies in 2020 and was successful in ensuring victory.
Vijayendra, 47, is contesting for the state assembly from ShikaripurSince 1983 his father has represented the constituency eight times. When he goes to campaign, a section of workers raise slogans calling him “the future chief minister”.
Here are excerpts from the conversation Hindu:
why did you choose Shikaripur The constituency, which is your father’s long-standing seat and therefore ‘safe’?
It was not my choice. Of course, my father declared my name for the constituency. But it was the choice of my senior leaders and workers in the party in Shikaripur. My father also felt that since the people of our area have blessed us for the past 40 years, it is our duty to serve them.
If you had to choose between Varuna, from where former chief minister Siddaramaiah is contesting, and Shikaripur, which would you choose?
Now the question does not arise. To be honest, I always wanted to fight from the old Mysore region. It is not about me winning a seat there. But if I had contested in that area, the party would have got some more seats. This was the sentiment of some legislators and senior leaders. But today I am happy.
There are many Muslim women in your processions. But there are some leaders in BJP who openly say that they do not want the votes of Muslims. How do you react?
My view is not different from that of the party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly says, Everyone’s support, everyone’s faith, everyone’s effort, My father also believes in it. In 2008, before the assembly elections, he announced that a person from a minority community would be a minister. He appointed Mumtaz Ali Khan as the minister. He treats them like our brothers. He has sanctioned funds for mosques. My father has always had good relations with Muslims and Christians. My resolution is to follow the path of my father by taking development and everyone together. Both my party and my father are firm believers in inclusive politics. Yes, it is true that some people comment. But Mr. Modi’s dream is to bring everyone together. All include minorities.
It is alleged that when your father was the Chief Minister, your interference in the administration put him in trouble. How do you react?
The allegations are quite natural. And it is very easy to accuse the chief minister or minister’s son…. People make all kinds of allegations. When my father was the chief minister, I acted as a bridge between the party and the government. And I am glad that I have been successful to a large extent.
People in Shikaripur raise slogans calling you ‘future chief minister’. How do you see it?
People raise this slogan not only in Shikaripur but also in other areas. But, I don’t get distracted by such things.