Let Billava candidate get opportunity in Lok Sabha elections: Vasantha Bangera
Interview : Shibi Dharmasthala
Former MLA of Belthangady, DK district’s senior Congress leader K.Vasantha Bangera shared his views with Varatha Bharti regarding various issues like the political developments taking place in the district, the party's defeat in the previous election and the party's preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
What is the reason for the Congress’ defeat in the previous election?
Bangera : The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had planned great pro-public programs, and even they have reached to people. A government with such good programmes has never come in the past.
But, the party ‘s MLAs and office bearers have failed in educating people that they implemented these all people friendly projects. Following which, people were forced to believe the BJP's propaganda. This is the most important reason for the Congress’ defeat.
Congress supporters from the backward classes seem to have gone far from the party in the last election. What do you say about this?
Bangera: The backward communities were always with the Congress Party in the DK district. The party made schemes on behalf of them. But the district in-charge minister and a few others have failed in effectively implementing such projects. The Congress government has been unable to aware people against the BJP’s misconduct it is doing in the name of safeguarding Hindus and by telling that the Congress is attracting Muslims. Even the communities which were supporting Congress earlier had been left out of the party. But this is not the permanent thing. People now know the truth. The people of the district will again turn towards the Congress.
Who could be the party candidate for upcoming election, you too a ticket aspirant?
Bangera: Neither I am an aspirant for Lok Sabha ticket, nor I have any intention to contest the election. I will work on behalf of the party candidate. Party has not decided its candidate yet. Already three to four aspirants are there in the party. Party will choose a candidate after surveying the district’s situations. Janardhan Poojary, who comes from Billava Community, has contested the Lok Sabha polls.
If the Billava community, which is the largest community in the district, is given opportunity in future too; it is possible that the voters of that community would again support Congress. Party has to consider this. It needs to keep track of the aspirations of the people in the district and continue.
Are you satisfied with the activities of the coalition government?
Bangera: The coalition government is continuing all the projects taken by the erstwhile Siddaramaiah government. Besides, special programmes like farmers’ loan waiver have been taken up. Such benefits reach people directly. The government will smoothly continue its journey as both the parties are moving further by cooperating with each other.
How is the preparation for the upcoming election?
Bangera: The previous election has taught many lessons to the party. By keeping these things in mind, preparations for the next election must be started. Significantly, we have to face the malicious campaigns of the BJP by giving befitting replies to them. People must be made aware of the achievements of the government. If the former MLAs and party functionaries work together, the Congress will have the opportunity to win the Lok Sabha constituency again. The preparations have already begun for that.
What programmes have been planned to bring back the communities which have maintained distance from the party?
Bangera: The backward and underprivileged communities in the district are not distant from the Congress. Due to the propaganda, it could have been a bit complicated in the last election. The Congress has always worked on behalf of these people. It is true that the injustice meted out to backward classes in the previous election. Congress must give more opportunities to them in the future.
Only then the party can get their confidence back. This can be done in the next election. For that, party leaders need to go to the people. All people must be taken into confidence and proceed.
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AP Home Minister says she takes Pawan Kalyan's remarks 'positively'
Amaravati, Nov 5: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday said she viewed Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's remarks on her handling of the state's law and order situation in a constructive way.
Anitha’s response followed Kalyan’s criticism the previous day over deteriorating law and order conditions and increased violence against women, particularly five months into the tenure of the new coalition government comprising the TDP, BJP, and Janasena.
"I took his (Kalyan’s) comments positively. His press meet was, in fact, encouraging. He provided a supportive foundation for my work and urged me to be even more assertive. That's what he communicated,” Anitha told reporters.
Anitha added that, as the Home Minister, she recognises her responsibilities and the demands of her role.
She also emphasised that Kalyan did not label her a failure.
The Home Minister noted that she had spoken to Kalyan about the matter, and he clarified that he was referring to the alleged registration of cases based on caste under the previous YSRCP government.
Further, she underscored that Andhra Pradesh is strict about maintaining law and order.
“The Chief Minister is serious that anyone contemplating a crime should fear. He (CM) said we will bring special laws to deter criminal behaviour. This message came directly from the CM,” she said.
Defending Kalyan as the Deputy Chief Minister, Anitha claimed that some people were "unnecessarily politicising" the issue.
On Monday, the Deputy CM expressed concerns about the state’s law and order situation, suggesting that “things would be different” if he were the Home Minister—remarks seen as direct criticism of Vangalapudi Anitha.
His comments came after recent incidents, including the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl by a relative in Tirupati district.
Meanwhile, YSRCP leader B Rajendranath sought to know who Kalyan was questioning.
"Whom are you (Kalyan) questioning? You are in power. You are the Deputy Chief Minister. Are you questioning yourself, your government, a particular minister, the CM, or the police department? We do not understand," Rajendranath said during a press conference in Hyderabad.
Rajendranath noted that while Anitha holds the Home Department portfolio, law and order is overseen by the CM. He questioned Kalyan's criticism of the police department’s functioning, reasoning that the government cannot operate without the system in place.
He advised Kalyan to address crime effectively, while former Tourism Minister and YSRCP leader RK Roja suggested that Kalyan’s comments reflected "failure" on the part of both the Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister.
Further, she alleged that the Home Minister has become "useless".
