One-and-a-half years since he became Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy is gearing up for yet another set of bypolls. While the Congress hasn’t managed to win a single seat in the earlier bypolls fought under his stewardship, the bypolls to 18 Assembly segments and the Nellore Lok Sabha seat next month will be all important for Mr Reddy.

The elections, most of them in the Coastal and Rayalaseema regions, have come about due to the challenge thrown by Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. They will be closely monitored by the Congress bosses at the Centre and will be crucial for Mr Reddy’s continuing at the helm of the state. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, the man in question, however, is confident of the outcome of not only the upcoming bypolls, but also the 2014 general elections.

Excerpts from the interview:

Is the Congress prepared for the bypolls? Are you confident of winning a few seats?
The Congress is not a cadre-based party. It has always been a leader-based party and some leaders, along with a few MLAs, left us and joined Jagan. Thus, there was a gap for us in certain constituencies. But we are better placed now due to our efforts in the past months. Though we are still lagging behind in two-three constituencies, that deficiency will be overcome in the coming days. We are applying different strategies in different segments. You will see the results. I can say with authority that the people are with the Congress and will remain with it. But it will take some time for us to fill all the gaps.

There are reports that if the Congress does not fare well, there might be some changes, including imposition of President’s Rule, in order to prevent horse trading.
We are trying to win all the seats and we have our own strategy. As far as the stability of the government is concerned, President’s Rule, instability, all these are wishful thinking on the part of some persons. We won around 155 seats in 2009. We have the same nu-mber now. Even after the bypolls, we’ll have the same number, if not more. How can there be instability? No MLA wants to switch sides. Almost immediately after the bypolls, we’ll go for local body polls and we’ll be strengthened with more leaders in the constituencies represented by the Opposition. There is no danger to my government; it will last till 2014 and will come to power again.

What is your assessment of Jagan’s impact on the bypolls and other future polls?
A. Jagan is trying to destabilise my government. He wanted to be chief minister only for the purpose of safeguarding his firms and his financial empire. He will have no impact. Maybe it will be confined to a few segments, that’s all.

Don’t you think he gained some sympathy because of the CBI’s and the government actions?
A. People are intelligent enough to understand what is good for them and who is a good leader to lead the state. You cannot expect sympathy to work every time and everywhere. People of Kadapa have shown their sympathy by sending him to the Lok Sabha with a record margin. But you cannot expect the same sympathy every time. What is the need for the public to show sympathy towards him? He has to explain how he got the investments. The investigators are doing their duty. The CBI filed chargesheets. It is for him to explain to them. He can’t blame other political parties for the financial irregularities he committed.

Aren’t you being vindictive towards Jagan?
A. Why should we be vindictive towards Jagan? We have no such intentions. Someone went to the High Court and the CBI and other agencies are investigating the case on the court’s directions. It is for the court to decide whether the investigations are going in accordance with the law or not. Neither the Congress or the government is involved in these affairs.

But you have stopped advertisements in the Sakshi group of publications?
A. The CBI filed a number of chargesheets about the investments into Jagan’s firms, clearly stating that it was all from the ill-gotten money. It is not proper for the state government to keep quiet and we have decided to stop advertisements in the paper and the TV channel till completion of the trial. How can anybody say it is not proper?

What about Eenadu? Cases are pending against them too?
A. Eenadu or other media groups are totally different. In Sakshi’s case, corruption has allegedly taken place and public interest is involved since the investments have been made from some corrupt deals. That is why the government had to intervene. I don’t think any corruption is involved in the Eenadu’s case. Even in irregularities regarding Margadarsi, government assets are not involved.

Why are you targeting a few and sparing ministers who supposedly signed the 26 controversial GOs?
A. There is no evidence that the ministers involved in issuing the GOs had benefitted from the quid pro quo arrangements. I must explain this to people. The government or Cabinet allotted some lands or other benefits to some individuals or companies. And those industrialists who benefited from the government’s decisions invested in Sakshi and other firms owned by Jagan. That is the main crux of the quid pro quo issue which should be investigated by the CBI and the court should pronounce its judgement on the issue.

But there are no such investments or allegations of bribes against the ministers for issuing the GOs. Whether the government’s decision was correct or wrong is a different subject. Except Jagan’s firms there are no other claims that so and so minister benefited due to the GOs. Even assuming money changed hands, the ministers were not involved. That is why I am demanding that Jagan should explain how he got the money into his firms. He owes an explanation.

Were the decisions taken by the Chief Minister (YSR) alone or was the entire Cabinet responsible?
A. The issue is in the court. Let it decide.

There is also a criticism from All India Service officers that they are being targeted for the decisions taken by the respective ministers…
A. Let the court decide this too.

Don’t you think Nimmagadda Prasad’s arrest will spoil the industrial atmosphere or investors’ confidence?
A. There is no panic situation on the investors’ front. The CBI cases are pertaining to those industrialists who were involved in some questionable offences. It has nothing to do with investments in AP. I don’t think the present situation will scare away investors. We have signed several MoUs with a number of firms that are expected to set up industries. We have not withdrawn any special concessions that were offered as part of our Industrial policy, we want more investments and employment and I am confident we will achieve our targets.

Why is Opposition leader N. Chandr-ababu Naidu targeting you suddenly? Is there a Chittoor connection to it?
A. Though we belong to the same district, our political enmity continues. Naidu is a spent force; he has no impact or image in the public. As long as he continues to be the president of Telugu Desam we need not worry. There is no chance of him becoming CM again. He is telling everyone that he will be the next chief minister; he is just day-dreaming. He has lost all credibility both in his party as well as among the public. The main drawback of Naidu is that people do not trust him.

The Congress in the state appears to be weak, no one knows who are with the party; there are no committees too…
A. Local body polls will be held soon. That will provide all answers. The Congress will never be weakened by anybody. It is as strong as it was earlier. This is due to you media people writing against the Congress. The local body polls are going to be a great opportunity for the Congress to develop leaders in certain pockets wherever there are gaps on account of desertions to Jagan’s party.
New leaders will emerge in local body polls which will give us the required boost in such constituencies and also as a run up to the 2014 polls. I am confidently telling you that Congress is going to win the elections in 2014 for a record third term.

What about the Telangana state issue? How much more time do you need to resolve the issue?
A. The ball is in the Centre’s court. They have started the process of arriving at a consensus based on the opinions they gather. I hope a decision will be announced soon.

What do you have to say about the criticism regarding maladministration and non-functioning of the government?
A. Unfortunately we do not have the support of the media. They write so many things. And our Opposition leaders believe such reports and issue statements and make a hue and cry based on them. I am openly asking everyone to point out which particular programme has been stopped and which ones are not being implemented effectively. I have an open mind. I want a response from the public on this. We have completed three years of the five-year term. I have only one-and-a-half years left. I will focus on administration and implement the programmes more effectively than any previous regime. I believe people will trust a government which works for them, they don’t believe in speeches.

A criticism against you is that you do not take ministers, MLAs etc., into confidence.
A. That is not at all a fact, I blame only the media for this too. Who told you that I don’t take them along? Name at least a few. Ask any MLA about this, whether their requests on development activity has been fulfilled or not.

Minister D.L. Ravindra Reddy and MLA Dr P. Shankar Rao criticise you almost daily. Yet there is no action against them?
A. Two or three such leaders are there. You highlight only those leaders’ statements. Fortunately or unfortunately there is more freedom of expression in the Congress but there is a limit to indiscipline. If anyone crosses the Lakshman Rekha, the party will take action. The media always reports insignificant issues. I have plans to improve the party from the polling station level. You will come to know about it.