SUPERCOP’S BET: I expect heterogeneous people to vote for me this time too
Bangalore, Apr 3 : Supercop H T Sangliana is all set for an electoral battle from Bangalore Central pitted against Zameer Ahmed Khan of JD(S) and P C Mohan of BJP. He speaks to The Times of India on the poll prospects. Excerpts:
Your reaction to Sonia’s decision to field you from Bangalore Central.
HT Sangliana: Absolutely happy. It’s the sign of a mature leader and leadership.
Why did they choose you?
HT Sangliana: The Congress may have felt I was mature, trustworthy. I didn’t make any claims or deal about having voted for the UPA. I was straight.
Sonia took time to decide?
HT Sangliana: I didn’t have interaction with Sonia after my request. I didn’t lobby. The party may have felt I was worthy as I approached them without the pound-of-flesh attitude.
Weren’t you anxious about ruffling Jaffer Sharief’s feathers?
HT Sangliana: Not at all. I was not pestering Sonia or Congress leadership. I assumed the leadership would take a collective decision.
Why did you want Bangalore Central?
HT Sangliana: I had undertaken a lot of development works only in some areas as BJP MP and had promised people I’d deliver everywhere. After the nuclear vote in June last year, I was disqualified for eight months. I want to fulfil my promises. Some areas where I had made my promise come under Bangalore Central.
Voter profile sure must have been a factor?
HT Sangliana: Yes. It has a good mix of Muslims and Christians. Also, there are other educated people who’d vote on performance and reputation. I expect heterogeneous people to vote for me this time too.
Your candidature affect Sharief’s prospects?
HT Sangliana: Sharief is very experienced. He’s sure to win whether he contests from Bangalore Central or Bangalore North.
Your take on Zameer Ahmed Khan?
HT Sangliana: He is spraying money all over; his calculations may go wrong. The voters are not always purchasable.
Will Zameer cut into your votes?
HT Sangliana: Zameer could take 30% of Muslim votes. He’s trying to buy out the poor. He won’t cut into Christian votes.
Strategy to counter Zameer.
HT Sangliana: Sharief has said we’ll have public meetings together.Senior Muslim leaders whom I have spoken to are open to me.
The Vokkaliga factor?
HT Sangliana: Today’s Vokkaligas don’t think on the basis of caste or community. They are educated. They are fed up with the Gowdas.
