Karnataka BJP manifesto committee chief: ‘NRC won’t be announced as soon as govt comes in …We’ll engage experts’

Being the chairman of the manifesto committee, what were your major focus areas?

We have taken this forward on six principles: Anna (food), Akshara (education), Arogya (health), Abhaya (insurance), Abhivruddi (Development), and Adaaya (economic empowerment). These are the broad principles on which the manifesto was prepared. The idea to keep the campaign’s focus on development has been reiterated.

For example, in addition to 5 kg of rice given under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, there will be five kg of millet, and half a litre of Nandini milk for families below the poverty line. This is to address, primarily, the undernourished and to take care of anaemic issues among pregnant and lactating women, and children in some districts. We have realised that just giving carbs is not enough, they should get completely healthy food. Unless they are healthy, the state cannot be wealthy.

No one in the country is giving millets like this. This is also a push to promote millet farmers. More farmers will get into it. We will increase MSP for millet growers. There are about one crore farmers involved in milk production. They will benefit as they will get additional support of Rs 2 per litre. Earlier, it is Rs 5. Now, I am proposing Rs 7.

Is this also a response to the controversy over Nandini milk after the entry of Amul?

That (response) I gave them (the Congress, which made it an election issue) back.

There was a lot of talk about the manifesto of the Congress. How will you counter it?

We do not believe in giving freebies. We believe ‘work is worship’ and we want our youngsters to work and earn their livelihood. They should be self-sustaining and growth should be there. We need to empower them through skills and give them opportunities, not by offering free food or free money.

But you are offering three LPG cylinders for free.

That is in line with Prime Minister Modi’s Ujjwala scheme. This is to ensure women’s health is paramount. When they use kerosene stoves or firewood, their health gets affected. Secondly, there are environmental issues and the issue of clean energy. If we give three LPG cylinders on various festive occasions, we will be promoting clean energy also.

The BJP has promised Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and National Register for Citizens (NRC). How pertinent are these issues for the state?

For the party, there is always an ideology. Both are quite important for the party’s ideology. The party feels it should definitely engage a high-level committee of experts. Let there be one and let them discuss and submit a report to the Cabinet, which can then consider it.

But why NRC for Karnataka? The Centre recently said in Parliament that there was no plan for a national NRC. The party took different stances in Assam and West Bengal on it.

It is a commitment for the country … it is an assurance. In that process, we are only going to engage a high-level expert committee. Let it do an analysis and study.

Is Karnataka a state that is facing problems related to illegal migrants?

Not much, but in some pockets we do have problems. The legal course of action will follow. As soon as the government comes in, we are not going to announce NRC. We will ensure that we will form a committee of experts to look into it, we will sit with them, and let them present their report. Then, the Cabinet will discuss its effects and post-effects legally, socially, and scientifically. Then we will take a call.

Do you think the BJP is facing a leadership crisis in this election?

No, the Chief Minister is quite an experienced and seasoned leader. Our former Chief Minister Yediyurappa ji is undisputedly a popular leader and for the last few decades he led the party in the state. But Basavaraj Bommai is a good administrator. Such issues will not affect the party’s prospects. We are going with Bommai ji as our leader who has the support of Yediyurappa ji.

How much is the BJP relying on Prime Minister Modi for a last-minute push?

Who will not be happy if Modi ji can come and address rallies? Everyone, no matter how safe their seat is, wants the PM to come to their constituency. Everyone realises that Modi ji comes with credibility and trust he enjoys among the people. Any programme or rally attended by PM Modi is definitely going to give rich dividends to the party and the candidates.

As the Health Minister, are you apprehensive about another Covid wave?

I do not think so. We are fully vaccinated. But it’s better to follow some precautions. I can just recommend being careful and following appropriate social behaviour such as wearing masks in crowds.