Shivamogga: “I started off as a party activist and I am a former MLA. I started my political career under the guidance of Late Bangarappa. Bangarappa was my mentor. With his advice and support of the people, I was able to grow and succeed in politics”, said Beluru Goplalakrishna, in an exclusive interview with News Karnataka.
Speaking about the controversial statements made against Shoba Karandlaje and B S Yeddyurappa, Goplalakrishna said, “Yeddyurappa and Shoba Karandlaje have betrayed me. When I was in Bharatiya Janata Party, I have strived to establish the party. I have contributed to the growth of the party in the state. But then, I was denied the ticket for the election and it was given to someone else. This has hurt me and from then on, I have developed a sort of hatred towards them.”
When asked about the ‘Baccha’ and ‘Bacchi’ comment which has gone viral across the state, Goplalakrishna said, “Some time back, when I had targeted Shoba madam and commented against her, she had said that she did not wish to speak about me as I was too small in consideration and that I was a ‘Baccha’ (kid). The prime minister of this country has spoken about me in his election campaign in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Shoba Karandlaje has to understand that if the PM has spoken about me, then I am a recognised leader. So I told Shoba madam that Beluru has become a leader today and because you called me a ‘Baccha’, I am calling you a ‘Bacchi’. Today you are a ‘Bacchi’ and Goplalakrishna is a leader.”
About Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition candidate Madhu Bangarappa and his chances of winning the Lok Sabha election, Goplalakrishna said, “Madhu Bagarappa will win with a margin of 18-19 thousand votes, not more than that as there is a tough fight in the election, this time.”
Speaking about the number of seats, he said the Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition would win 18-19 seats in the state.
To the question whether Narendra Modi will resume the PM post, Beluru replied “We can analyse about that after the third and the fourth phase of the elections are over. There is no clear picture about the Mahagathbandhan or the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) get the majority. It will take sometime to understand that and I will comment about it at the right time.”
When asked why he is known as a dynamic politician, Beluru Goplalakrishna replied, “It is the confidence and the strength given to me by Bangarappa. But nobody is giving political support to Beluru Goplalakrishna. Be it Yeddyurappa or others, nobody wants Beluru to grow in politics. They somehow want to pull me down. But I am not the one who backs down. I will come up. No one can stop me including Yeddyurappa.”
When asked about his future in the coalition government, he said, “For now, we are determined to work for the party. We have to make sure the Congress party grows in the district and also re-establish it in the state.”
