The Congress is on an overdrive to get the party re-elected in Karnataka. From party chief Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, several leaders have been touring the State and meeting people, in something of a departure from the past. Ruling out an alliance with HD Deve Gowda’s JD(S), the Congress State President G Parameshwara told BusinessLine in an interview that the party will return to power on its own. Excerpts:

Ahead of the election, how effective do you think the Congress’ many rallies, yatras and samaveshas have been for the party?

They have been extremely effective for us. It has helped us to be in touch with the people. Our strategy has been quite different from the rest.

Our party president Rahul Gandhi has been the key anchor and has been touring the State, communicating with people and the party workers. Naturally, it has boosted the morale of the Congress workers in Karnataka. People are beginning to believe that the leadership understands their problems, and that it is committed to improve their lives.

Political analysts say the fight is between Siddaramaiah and Narendra Modi, and less about Rahul Gandhi and the PM.

No. Rahul Gandhi is the national President of the Congress. I mean we can’t compare him to local leaders.

Why is Modi or Amit Shah touring the State? Why can you not leave it to [BJP State President BS] Yeddyurappa to run the campaign? The national leaders bring to the table a larger perspective, a big picture.

The Congress highlighted Article 371 during Rahul Gandhi's recent tour of Hyderabad-Karnataka. During Rahul Gandhi's Mumbai-Karnataka tour, what do you intend to showcase?

We are focusing on the overall development of the State and on the sterling performance of the Congress government.

There is the Alamatti Dam, [achievements in] water resources, irrigation, etc.

Five years ago, when we toured the region ahead of the State elections, we had promised that maximum water is utilised for irrigation and drinking water. Now, more than 90 TMC of water is being utilised, and 6 lakh hectares of additional land has been brought under irrigation. Rahul Gandhi will highlight these achievements.

What is the party stance on the sharing of Mahadayi river waters, and also on according religion-status to the Lingayat community?

We have no stand on the religion status for the Lingayats. Everyone has a voice.

There is a panel which has been set up to take a decision on this issue and we will go by whatever the panel says.

We will fight for the rights of our people as far as the sharing of the river water is concerned.

Is there a possibility of the Congress tying up with the Janata Dal (Secular) to form a government in case the party falls short of the majority?

The answer is no. We are 100 per cent sure that our party is going to come back to power, and possibly with a bigger majority.

We do not plan to have any tie-ups. We are sure that there will be no coalition government.

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