The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Karnataka Election Management Committee convenor Shobha Karandlaje said the party will beat the historical trend — of ruling parties not winning the elections in the last 38 years in the State — with its developmental agenda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma.
In an interview with The Hindu , Ms. Karandlaje, who is also Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, maintains people are “smart enough to understand” that Karnataka will see fast-paced development if there is a “double engine” government. Excerpts:
You have taken on poll management at a time when several senior party leaders have been denied tickets and the competition for leadership is narrowing down. Are you in the race for the Chief Minister’s post?
Definitely not. It has been just two years since I became a Minister at the Centre. It’s a special experience to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am fortunate to get such an opportunity. I am very happy working at the Centre. Also, I love to travel. My department work too demands travelling and I have been travelling through the entire country. However, party seniors wanted me to take up this responsibility since I had worked earlier, in U.P., during elections. I will execute this responsibility and go back to the Centre.
