Randeep Surjewala interview: ‘K C Venugopal has rejected any suggestion of power-sharing. Only formula is to serve as servants of Karnataka’s people’

What was the criteria for picking Siddaramaiah as the CM?

Surjewala: Both Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are capable enough to be CM of the state. Unlike the BJP in Karnataka, the Congress has a range of leadership at all rungs, whose cumulative effort is the principal reason for its victory. The approach of Mallikarjun Kharge was and has always been consensus, unanimity and unity. He held detailed deliberations over two-and-a-half days and finally arrived at a solution, where both can participate in implementing the party’s development agenda.

What went in Siddaramaiah’s favour?

Surjewala: Both are equally capable. Kharge has his own knowledge of the intricacies of the state. He is sagacious vis-a-vis the issues facing the state. Based on his own experience and knowledge of public life, and the fact that he has himself served the state for over five decades, he decided that both need to be given responsibility instead of any one… so it is never an either/or choice, but one where both contributed together. We wanted a team of 11, not a team of one, to run the state.

Lok Sabha MP D K Suresh and Shivakumar’s brother has said he is ‘not entirely happy’ with the outcome. Do you think the Congress government will be a stable one?

Surjewala: That is D K Suresh’s opinion, and he is entitled to one. The Congress has the support of 138 legislators — 135 Congress MLAs, one of the Sarvodaya Party, which is our ally, and the unconditional backing of two Independent MLAs. There is no reason why we won’t fulfill every single dream of the people of Karnataka and stand up to every promise we have made.

 Initially, it was said there could be three deputy CMs — one each from the Lingayat, Dalit and Muslim communities. Now that there will be only one Deputy CM, how will you address the question of social balance, as all these communities have voted heavily for the Congress?

Surjewala: This is a theory crafted by somebody in the media, not by the Congress. Social justice delivery by the government will restore the social balance, not otherwise, and this is founded upon the five Congress guarantees which laid the foundation for the Congress victory. We shall implement them… All communities, be it SC, ST, OBC, minorities, micro-backward classes, Lingayats, Vokkaligas, know that the intent of the Congress is founded upon honesty and our sincerity is based on purpose. Our delivery emanates out of our commitment to the people. I think these three things will finally work in the party’s favour.

 Lingayat seers and Muslim leaders had demanded that someone from their community be made the Deputy CM…

Surjewala: We are a democracy. That people who are not members of the Congress — including various leaders of sects and society — want to guide us on how to constitute the government, shows the widespread acceptability of the Congress party. Be it sects or other religious leaders… I thank each one of them for their concern, and want to say that the Congress party will implement the agenda of all sections, including ones they represent, or the causes they seek to espouse.

 The Shivakumar camp has claimed there is a term-sharing pact.

Surjewala: Already, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal has firmly rejected any such suggestion. The only power-sharing formula is to serve as servants of Karnataka’s people.

So Siddaramaiah will stay as CM for five years?

Surjewala: I’ve already answered your question.

 I’m asking again…

Surjewala: I am answering again… the only power-sharing formula is to serve as servants of the people of Karnataka.

If the party wanted to make Siddaramaiah CM and Shivakumar the Deputy CM all along, why did it take three days to announce it?

Surjewala: This is the Congress Model, as opposed to the Modi Model, which is autocracy and imposition of decisions from above. The Congress Model that Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Sa’ab and Soniaji espouse is a bottom-up one. The bottom-up approach is a deliberative, consultative process, where everyone’s dissent and opinion are heard and taken into consideration, before arriving at a conclusion. Shehad pake so meetha hove (The more it matures, the sweeter the honey becomes)… a deliberative process will always take time… But unlike Mr Modi, we don’t remain incommunicado for 7-9 days before deciding on an Uttar Pradesh or Assam CM.

It is said a majority of the MLAs favoured Siddaramaiah. Was that a factor in his selection as CM?

Surjewala: Once a decision has been taken and accepted by all, it is a closed chapter and I won’t like to go into it.

There are Enforcement Directorate and CBI cases against Shivakumar. Did that go against him?

Surjewala: The ED and CBI cases are all fraudulent and unjustifiable persecution of Shivakumar by the BJP, purely with a view to harass and intimidate him, and use this usual tactic to make him submit to the BJP’s whims and fancies. But Shivakumar is a brave man who has faced all this and remained undeterred. That should tell you enough about his qualities and his character.

Venugopal said Shivakumar will continue as KPCC president till the 2024 Lok Sabha polls are over. Will there be a new president thereafter, and will he then move into a new role?

Surjewala: There has to be continuity in any organisation. Shivakumar is an organisation man and everybody agrees his organisational skills are among the best. So, it is natural that with 9-10 months left for the Parliamentary elections, continuity in organisation leadership is necessary.

 It is said that Kharge had a video call with Sonia Gandhi. If he was authorised to take the decision, why was this consultation needed?

Surjewala: I have no such knowledge of a video call, that only the media has reported. However, one thing is absolutely true… Sonia Gandhi is our guiding light, and will continue to guide the party with her sagacious advice. I don’t know whether Kharge Sa’ab indeed called her up, but if he took Soniaji’s advice or conferred with Rahul Gandhi, it is a natural part of the deliberative process.

At the press conference, Venugopal said Kharge took the opinion of Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka. The first two are past presidents, but how does the AICC general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh come into the picture? There are other general secretaries too…

Surjewala: Priyanka did extensive campaigning in Karnataka, which energised the cadre, so it was natural for anybody to take her opinion. He also took my opinion. It is perfectly OK. There is nothing wrong with that.