“BJP is trying to divide the people by playing the communal and caste cards. They should understand that this is a new India which is looking at economic development.
One cannot play these cards for a long time,” he said. He was addressing the media, prior to his campaign, at his campaign office.
The newly-formed Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency has considerable number of minority community votes which both the Congress and JD(S) are eyeing. “People of this constituency know what I am and what I did for them in the last five years. They will vote for me and I will win,” Sangliana said.
When asked about his affiliation with the BJP in the last elections, he said, “I never joined BJP on my own. It was the party leaders who came to me and asked me to contest.
However, I worked based on my principles and not those of that party.” Sangliana alleged that the state government was misusing the police stations for BJP activities.
The leaders should avoid this as the people of the state have great respect for the police station.
Government machinery cannot be used for party purposes, he added.
When asked about the split in minority community votes, Sangliana told Express, “This time it will not get split as the opponents are not strong. Both the JD(S) and BJP have weak candidates.
Even if JD(S) fights with all its force, it will not get more than 25 per cent of the minority community votes.
Moreover, more than 90 per cent of Hindu voters in this constituency are secular and I will get a large chunk of the votes from them also. My victory is certain.”
Congress workers are banking on his track record as MP of Bangalore North, parts of which have been included in the newly-formed Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency.
