V Srinivasa Prasad.

MYSURU: Responding to the party’s call, former Union minister and BJP leader V Srinivasa Prasad is set to return to electoral politics and possibly take on political disciple, Dhruvanarayan, of Congress from Chamarajanagar constituency, which he represented five times in the Lok Sabha. Prasad, who says he wanted to retire from electoral politics after last year’s assembly elections, said he acceded to the party’s request to contest, keeping national interests in mind. Excerpts from an interview.

What prompted you return to electoral politics?

I was under pressure from party leaders and the people to contest from Chamarajanagar. Initially, I was not ready, but they all want me to contest. I wanted to retire from electoral politics after completing my assembly tenure in 2018, but I was humiliated by former chief minister Siddaramaiah and it forced me to revoke my earlier decision. That is the reason why I resigned my assembly membership and contested the bypoll to Nanjangud in 2017. Now, I want to ensure maximum seats for the BJP from Karnataka. I’m contesting Lok Sabha elections after a gap of 20 years.

Are you confident of wresting the seat from the Congress?

Definitely. Look at the assembly election results. The BJP has done very well in all the assembly segments of Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha seat. It won two seats by trouncing heavyweights like then district in-charge minister Geeta Mahadevaprasad in Gundlupet. A a lot has changed in the past 20 years and the party has a good base in the constituency. People have changed, their priorities have changed. I am confident of victory.

What issues dog Chamarajanagar?

In Lok Sabha elections, local issues generally don't play a major role. National issues take priority. People also look at the party which can give them a stable and able leadership. In this election, people want to see Narendra Modi back as prime minister and the Chamarajanagar electorate is no exception. So, they will obviously prefer BJP. The Congress for the first time has forged an electoral understanding with a regional party in the state to fight the elections. It is a historic low for the Congress in the state. The alliance shows that the Congress is weak in Karnataka.

Dalit voters constitute a large number in Chamarajanagar. A section of dalits still considers BJP as an anti-dalit party. Do you think they will vote for you?

Yes. I am known for my agitations and my stature is built around it. People know me well. So there is no room for such confusion.

There are allegations that you are being used by the BJP to garner dalit votes for party candidates in the state, especially in the Old Mysuru region…

It is not true. Dalit voters have always stood by me for my commitment to their cause. So naturally, they will support the BJP in Mysuru, Hassan and other places where I expect party candidates to register wins.

