DK Shivakumar Exclusive: 'Only Gandhi family can keep Congress united'

A day after senior Congress leader PC Chacko resigned from the Congress party, his colleague and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar tells Asianet Newsable's Yacoob that while he admits that the Grand Old Party is going through a very tough time, the Congress will neither change its ideology nor mission. 

At a time when the opposition should unite and fight the BJP, there are reports about differences between you and Siddaramaiah. What's your take on this? 

I don't have any difference with anyone. He (Siddaramaiah) is our leader. I worked with him when he was the chief minister and he is my Congress Legislature Party leader. For me, I don't have any personal agenda, I have only a party agenda. We all have decided to work unitedly and we will work. 

Madhu Yakshi Goud said the differences between you both have been sorted. What is the message from the Congress high command? 

There were no differences between me and or Siddaramaiah. In the Mysuru Corporation election, Siddaramaiah wanted to have a Mayor (from Congress) which was agreed by JD-S but it was not honoured. We had instructed the local legislator to see that Congress gets Mayor (post), but he (Tanveer Sait) could not get it. BJP tried to overtake and JD-S played it smart and did not keep up their word (was willing to switch alliance). Apart from that, there is no issue. 

How do you see the Congress party perform in the assembly elections to four states and a union territory? Also, are you going to campaign in any of the states?

I am not familiar with Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and other states. As far Kerala is concerned, whenever the leaders call, I go to them. Last month also I had gone there for campaigning. That is 'Aishwarya Yathra'. Today also UDF leaders came and met me. They came and asked for my dates. So if the party needs me, I will go. 

The Congress lost its only government in South India with the downfall of the Puducherry govt. In hindsight, do you think that could have been averted? How do you think the crisis could have been managed?

There is a big and mighty government sitting there (BJP government at the Centre) with a big number. They are using all their strength to see that all political parties are split and are targeting individual leaders. Those with personal obligation and fear are shifting. 

The MLAs in Puducherry who left Congress said they were sidelined. A similar thing was seen in Karnataka. How is Congress dealing with such dissent? Or has Congress conceded that not everyone can be kept happy?

See when one wants to stay in Congress, they feel that they are happy and the Congress party could have given lot of strength to them. And when they need to go out, they need some reason. The reason will be that they are not taken care of or have been sidelined. That is the kind of reply from all these leaders who are hungry for power. 

The Congress and the opposition parties have been voicing concerns over fuel prices and farm laws and other issues concerning the common man. Yet, the message doesn't seem to percolate down to the common man. Why is it so?

The country is facing a very big crisis from the Coronavirus. But the government could not help anyone. What was the price of crude oil (during the Congress regime) ten years back? What is the price today? What were the taxes imposed on petrol and diesel those days? What is imposed today?.

When crude oil (prices) have come down, petrol and diesel prices should have come down but it is going on increasing. So with these collections, the government is running. 

The cost of essential commodities and others have become high. You see the prices of cement and iron. Common man having a problem in the construction of houses. All essential commodities due to transportation have increased. This is affecting the common man. The government doesn't have the ear, eyes or heart through which they can help the common man. 

Congress has been seeing major electoral reverses in the last few months. How does Congress plan to revive it? What is the roadmap?

We know that it is a very tough time. Congress did not expect such a big change in the number (Loss in Lok Sabha). Still, we don't want to change our ideology or our mission. Definitely, people of the country will understand that this type of misinformation, this 'right' (wing) type of propaganda, the growth of this country after demonization and various laws which they have brought on this country is not giving results. 

Ultimately the will of people and wisdom of the people will prevail. Definitely, the common man of the country will understand the situation and give a change in the next election. 

Should a political party be personality-driven or ideology-driven?

Ideology is important than personality. I believe in it. 

A number of senior leaders have been speaking about systemic changes in the Congress party. Some like Anand Sharma say they are staunch loyalists yet question the high command decision on poll alliances. What is your take on the issue?

All these leaders are part of the Congress party for the last 40 years and even today. They were part of the decision-making (process). Still, they have to convince the Congressmen. Why are they raising issues at this point in time? They were the ministers, they were party office bearers, they were the part of the system. This is not the time. We all have to work together, get united. When Congress is united, the country is united. 

What's your take of Congress leader PC Chacko resigning from Congress? 

He may have some personal issues; the individual does not matter.

Do you agree with the views put forth by the Group of 23 within Congress? Don't you think the development will further damage the party? 

I don't think all of them have understood. I don't how this number came up (G-23 leaders rebelling against party). All are Congressmen. They will rework, they will work unitedly. They all have sorted out issues before our leadership (Sonia Gandhi and team) 

Can Congress have a non-Gandhi as president?

Only Gandhi family can keep the Congress party united.