People need a person who will work for them 24x7: Veena Vijayananda Kashappanavar

The only woman Congress candidate from Karnataka Veena Vijayananda Kashappanavar is contesting from Bagalkot constituency and is assured of breaking the BJP's stronghold in her constituency. Her work speaks far louder as compared to the unfulfilled rhetoric of her opposition candidate, said Veena.

Excerpts from her interview:

You have leap frogged from district politics to national politics. What are the difficulties and challenges you foresee?

As I've been dynamically involved with individuals from the ground level, as Zilla Panchayat president, I do not observe that much of a difference amidst the district and national level politics as both include keeping in touch with people and ground reality. I have comprehensively visited 700 of the 890 villages and thus I have my ear to the ground. Previously I moved around as a president and now I'm doing it as a candidate, which is the only difference.

How do you rate your chances in the face of a perceived Modi wave?

Their candidates' biggest setback is that they are persuading voters in the name of Modi. For the people of Bagalkot, Modi will not come and work. He will visit for an hour or two, at the most. People need a person who will work for them 24x7. A candidate's incompetence is shown when a candidate is persuading voters using Modi's name. The person who wins has to tackle the peoples' problems and not Modi. People have to realize and vote for a candidate who will work for them.

As far as assembly constituencies are concerned, its 6-2 against Congress. Aren't you on the back foot already?

The efforts that I have put as a ZP president will hold me in good stead. Even though Swach Bharath is a central government programme, I have executed it completely and protected women from the problem of open defecation. I had conducted several grama vaastavyas and jana spandana programmes which are widespread in the midst of all citizens as most difficulties have been fixed out expeditiously, as ZP president. My surprise visits to workplaces and government hospitals have also gained me obligation. I have dismissed the concept that I'm a rubber stamp, most importantly. I have shown I have a mind of my own.

If you are elected, what are three things you will accomplish in your term?

For reintegration and refurbishment effort in villages affected by the Upper Krishna Project, resources are required. And the state neither can nor is expected to provide such large amounts. For more central funds, I expect to present my case efficiently. My second goal is the completion of Kudachi-Bagalkot Railway Project is and my third goal is to set up small industries under skill development in all villages to arrange employment for the young.

Your entry into politics was by accident. But now that you have been in politics for about a decade, how do you feel about it?

The most significant point is to serve people I believe, whether one is in control of not. But being in control makes a huge transformation. To transform the lives of people for the better I want that control.

Keywords: Veena Vijayananda Kashappanavar. Bagalkot constituency. Zilla Panchayat president.