U B Venkatesh is a politician (MLC in Karnataka), educationist, philanthropist, journalist and entrepreneur, his contribution to public health has been widely appreciated by the people of Karnataka and by the government. As per reports U B Venkatesh has uplifted three government schools in Basavangudi and has transformed them into something better than private schools. His consistent demonstration of excellence in his professional career and political career has bolstered his leadership qualities and his cast-iron commitment and unmatched dedication to society make him one of the best leaders in Karnataka. During an interview with ThisweekIndia, U B Venkatesh confirmed that he’ll be contesting for the upcoming election from the Basavanagudi Assembly constituency. ThisweekIndia recently interviewed U B Venkatesh, the following are the Q & A of the interview.
- You have had a long innings in politics ever since 1972 or so and held various posts including as General Secretary of KPCC. How has your political journey been till now?
I started my political career in 1972 in Sidlaghatta, Kolar District as a KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) member. I was aligned with V Krishna Rao (Member of Parliament), and later I came into connection with Mallikarjun Kharge and in the last three decades, I am a sincere follower of Mallikarjun Kharge.
- As MLC what according to you has been your contribution to the State?
As an MLC I’m raising people-centric issues in each and every assembly session. For example, the banking frauds, the footpaths, the police inaction and the road maintenance. Every time I raise issues that are people-centric and they have been appreciated by the government also.
- There are reports that you are keen on contesting from the Basavanagudi Assembly constituency. Is it true and how do you fancy your chances?
Basavanagudi is one of the prestigious seats in Bangalore because there are a lot of educationalists, scholars, poets and this constituency was represented by the people like Ramakrishna Hegde, T. R. Shamanna, Krishna Iyer. For the last three seasons it has been represented by the BJP, so now I’m contesting from congress and my party leaders Mr Siddaramaiah & D. K. Shivakumar had told me to work in the Basavanagudiconstituency during the Covid times. So I started my journey here in the last 2 had half years. In Basavanagudi, to start with, I came and met the people, and then distributed more than 23,500 kits in 96 places in and around Basavanagudi. They have been around 78 people who died due to Covid in the Basavanagudi Constituency. I along with the Congress team visited each and every house of the family and listened to their problems and helped with their needs.
- There are around 70,000 Brahmins in Basavanagudi. Is this why you think your chances are better, as a Brahmin candidate, if the people are looking for a change in Basavanagudi?
It is one part, 70,000 Brahmins are one and I am Brahmin is one. Apart from that there are around 60,000 OBC votes here. They play a major role apart from this because there are Kurubas, Naidus, Yadavas, Marathas and many other communities. So all these communities contest an equal number of Brahmins so they also play a major role. And Brahmins are looking for a change this time. As I mentioned earlier, Basavanagudi is one of the prestigious constituencies but without any facilities. There are no government girls’ schools for kids, good hospitals, roads and traffic conditions are pathetic. I think people need a change here, I’m confident that I will win.
- If the party decides to give you the ticket in Basavanagudi, why according to you should people vote for you and not for the sitting MLA, Ravi Subramanya?
I don’t want to comment personally on him. As I told you, there is no development. You have elected one person in the last 15 years. Give me a chance and I will show people what can be done.
- Recently you criticised the State Government for its poor allocation of funds to the State Brahmin Development Corporation. Do you think this will impact how the upper caste vote in the elections? And do you think the Congress will make a strong attempt to woo the upper caste vote?
I did not criticize the government. Whatever the leaders say should be honoured. I gave them the budget copy where B. S. Yediyurappa made a speech that 50 crores has been allocated to Brahmin Development Board. Next year when the expenditure came they gave only 3 crores and that 3 crores are spent on building rents, official salary, petrol and diesel. Not a rupee has been spent on any Brahmin. So I did not criticise I just mentioned how much they told and how much has been fulfilled.
- As a veteran politician, how do you see the pulse of the people in Karnataka? Are they ready for a change and bring back Congress in the coming Assembly elections?
1t is 100% sure. Even the BJP survey shows Congress is getting more than the majority, we are expecting 135- 150 seats. The problem is not about Congress or BJP, People oriented developments are not happening. Our leaders Siddaramaiah and D. K. Shivakumar have already announced 200 units of power, 1600 rupees cards, and 2000 rupees for the household lady. So we are compensating 3600 rupees to fight inflation.
- The Congress has lost many elections in the country recently outside Karnataka, except for Himachal Pradesh. Will this affect the morale of the party’s rank and file, as the BJP is sure to exploit this?
There is no leader in Karnataka, they have to bring Modi, Shah and others to show their faces. In Karnataka, we have a very good chance. Out of the 20 governments that they are having, 13 governments have been toppled. Even in Karnataka, they did not win, they took our people and paid 30 crores, we are reading in the papers how much who got. It is an unethical government.
9.What is the single biggest issue in the minds of the voters of Karnataka today?
Price rise. People cannot afford it. A common man cannot afford anything because whatever you want to buy, even food articles there is GST which is very unfair. This is killing each and every one.
10. While your party is banking on the anti-incumbency factor, the ruling BJP is banking on the Modi factor. What is your comment on this?
As I told you about the Modi factor, when there was drought and excess rain, they did not come to any place to visit. Now the election has come and they are coming, people know their gimmicks, it will not help them.
11. There are many reports that the ruling BJP will find it tough to return to power. But don’t you think the infighting within the Congress might set it back a little?
Infighting in congress is a creative story. Congress have travelled together for more than 25 districts. In the coming days, they are starting every 100 constituencies. Everybody has the ambition to become chief minister. This is a story created by them. It is not infighting. The party’s high command or the winning MLAs will decide who will be the next chief minister. There is not much problem with that.
12. Election campaigning nowadays is also being done on social media. There is a perception that the BJP is stronger than others in social media. Do you agree with this perception? And if so, how do you propose to improve your social media campaign? Finally, how much of an impact campaigning on social media will have on influencing the voters?
Nowadays, social media is playing a very big role. Everybody is active on their phones and it is all instant news. BJP is spreading all lies because looking at their manifesto, there are 600 items, but they have not fulfilled even 10%.
13. How the Bharath Jodo Yatra is going to have an impact on the Karnataka assembly elections?
Bharath Jodo Yatra is very prestigious for congress. Rahul Gandhi never told he’ll do it for election purpose. The people gathered all over the states and all over the country, it is unimaginable. And we used to cook food for about 50,000 to 100000 people every day when it was going on. And you cannot see in history who has travelled 4000 Km in 155 days, to 12 states and 2 union territories.
14. You are known to be actively involved in many pursuits – as a politician, educationist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, public health, etc. How do you keep yourself engaged with so many works at a time? And what is your ultimate motivation to do all this?
God has given so much to me, for my life and children. All I want to do is social work. I am a chairman of a trust called Loka Shikshana Trust which runs the paper called Samyukta Karnataka, Karmaveera and Kasthuri which is 100 years old. As for education, we have schools and we are doing very well. And my association with many temples has always been there including Pejawar Math, I am a trustee in their hospitals (Sri Krishna Seva Ashrama Hospital). So we should give back something to society.
