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Rahul's promised to come: Krishna Byre Gowda |
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By: B V Shiva Shankar |
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Date:
2009-04-08 |
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Place:Bangalore |
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Krishna Byre Gowda, Congress candidate from Bangalore South, is a star of the party's youth brigade, and is all set to take on big names Ananth Kumar (BJP) and Capt Gopinath (independent)
MiD DAY: Don't you think the Congress announced you as its candidate a bit late?
Krishna Byre Gowda: Yes, it would have been better if we had at least a month before the nomination. But politics works on many factors. As you know, my name was decided at the last minute, and we are running against time. The only way to go is to work hard.
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Krishna Byre Gowda opens up in an exclusive interview with MiD DAY PIC/ Satish Badiger | How do you manage your schedule? What time do you wake up?
Don't ask me when I wake up, ask me when I sleep! It is 3 am when I retire and I have to be ready by 6 am. We work round the clock, but still find ourselves short of time.
You are putting technology to good use to reach your voters.
Yes, but that's thanks to my wife's expertise. She is a software engineer with CGI Info Systems. She has taken four weeks' leave and is working fulltime with me. The web, email, and sms campaigns are her responsibility, and she is doing them well.
Don't you think you are changing constituencies too fast?
Not my fault. I started my political career as an MLA representing Vemagal, in Kolar district, five years ago. Now, it is reserved. I had to move to Byatarayanapura in Bangalore for last year's assembly elections. The high command chose me to contest Parliamentary polls from Bangalore South, and that's how you see me here.
How confident are you, being an outsider to the constituency?
I am not an outsider to the constituency. I studied at National College in Basavangudi, and my wife is from Basavangudi. She is the granddaughter of freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, an old resident of the area. She did her engineering from BMS College in Basavangudi. We have a house in Jayanagar. What else do you need to call me an insider?
When are you planning to visit National College?
I have asked my classmates in Bangalore to join me when I visit the college. We will go there shortly.
To what extent is your father Byre Gowda's clean image helping you?
It's helping me a lot. He was an honest politician, and his work is appreciated. People still remember him for his contribution as a minister to agriculture. I am following in his footprints and people give me a lot of love and affection.
Being a young face, you are Rahul Gandhi's choice. How do you feel about that?
I am very grateful to him that he has recognised me. The Congress is a party of youth and Rahul is promoting young leaders. The high command is encouraging youth, as a result of which you see many young candidates in the fray.
When will Rahul come down to Bangalore to campaign for you?
We have requested him to come to Bangalore, and he has said he will. The date has yet to be fixed.
In an interactive session a woman asked you how you would ensure the safety of half the population. What is your take on assaults against women?
I am completely against vandalism against women. The Mangalore pub attack and the attacks on women in Bangalore are a blot on our country. But I will not make any false assurances at this point. I only call upon voters to elect a secular and progressive party.
How hopeful are you of humbling Ananth Kumar, a senior contender from the BJP?
Yes, it is true he is a senior politician, but what is his contribution to the constituency? People had elected him four times. It is natural for them to think of an alternative this time.
So who is he ?
>>English-savvy Vokkaliga Krishna Byre Gowda (36) is an American-educated Congress leader, the second after S M Krishna.
>>He has a master's degree from the School of International Services of American University, Washington DC. He did his PUC from National College, Basavanagudi, before joining Christ College, for his BBM.
>>He worked as project associate at Development Alternatives Inc, Washington DC, and joined politics after his father C Byre Gowda died in 2003.
>>His father, Byre Gowda, is known for his honesty. He took up people's causes and took on the bureaucracy. He had served as agriculture minister in the Janata Dal government between 1994 and 1999.
>>Krishna Byre Gowda is now president of the State Youth Congress He represents Byatarayanapura in the assembly. |
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