After completing his election tour, Congress candidate H. Vishwanath is convinced that there has been a strong Congress wave sweeping over Mysore - Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency. "Literates and illiterates alike want the UPA to return to power," claims Viswanath in this interview with Star of Mysore.

The village bird (Halli Hakki), which used to fly out from K. R. Nagar often and take perch in the cool comfort of Vidhana Soudha, is now all set to take the flight to Delhi. Is the song of the bird, the tunes of which were confined to Karnataka region, going to be echoed in the Parliament also? That will be decided after the voters of Mysore - Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency deliver their verdict on April 30, 2009. "Literates and illiterates alike want the UPA to return to power. People have told me that they are highly impressed over the manner in which the UPA government handled the Mumbai terror attack and also global economic recession," says Viswanath.

Does the election to the 15th Parliament seems to you different from all the elections which you fought?
Yes, this poll is a contest between progressive and anti - progressive elements. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh are all architects of change. Although Vajpayee, who led the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, was the only leader with a cosmopolitan outlook and a secular bent of mind, that government did not move in the path of progress.

What are your qualifications for contesting in the Parliamentary polls?
I have completely utilised many opportunities that came my way to serve the people in my public life. I have grown amidst the people and I am always with them. I have been an MLA and also Minister and thus I have experience in administration. I am confident that the people too welcome my close association with them. I have the ability to effectively represent the constituency and the State in the Parliament and present the problems vexing the State and see they are resolved. I am also easily accessible. Anyone can approach me anytime. Because I am for the people.

Is not the Parliamentary election a new experience for you?
No, not at all. Having been a member of the State Legislative Assembly, a Minister in charge of a district and as a party worker, I have worked in the district during many Parliamentary elections. I have given my inputs to those candidates. I am seasoned well in working out poll strategies. In that backdrop, the Parliamentary election is not new to me.

Your home constituency (Assembly) K. R. Nagar has been taken away and merged with Mandya Lok Sabha constituency...
No problem. Leaders and workers from there will come here to work for me.

Kodagu also has been included this time in the Mysore Lok Sabha constituency?
That is a good development. There is a large presence of people from Kodagu in Mysore. Similarly, there is a significant presence of the people from Mysore in Kodagu. There is a close relationship between the people of the two districts. There are many similarities in the cultural and social life of the people in the two regions. River Cauvery, the lifeline of both the districts, has fused them. Moreover, I have toured in Kodagu on many occasions while I was a Minister. Our party is strong there. Many heavyweights of the party are residents of Kodagu. I have studied the various problems of the people of that district. I have also discussed with the locals about resolving those problems successfully.

What are your priorities for Kodagu?
Kodagu is beset with the problem of lack of basic infrastructure. The task of utilizing the natural resources of Kodagu effectively is required to be pursued at a fast pace. I will bestow my attention on transforming Kodagu into a glorious tourist destination. An airstrip is needed there.
I am working on the concepts of “Mysore –Kodagu – Vision – Mission” comprehensive development project. I will take the people of Kodagu along with me while implementing them. Special status for Kodagu has been a longstanding demand of Kodavas. They have sought the Hill Council type of autonomy. This should happen in reality.

Codava National Council (CNC) leader Nachappa met me. I found that no MP has so far invited them for talks. I was surprised nothing of the kind happened so far. Their demand should be fulfilled without disturbing the federal nature of Karnataka. I will fight for their cause in Parliament. More surprising and equally shocking problem of the people of Kodagu is that though Cauvery River takes birth there and flows through the district, the people of Kodagu have no privilege of drinking the water of the river. Water supply system is very bad. Wherever I went during my campaign, people complained to me about the water problem. It will be my top priority.

The problems of coffee growers should be urgently addressed. I will fight for bringing packages for them.

Similar is the problem with the tobacco growers of Periyapatna, K. R. Nagar and Hunsur.

It will be my goal to develop Mysore and Kodagu as an international tourist destinations. It would provide direct or indirect employment to lakhs of people. There are 2,000 home stays in Kodagu.

I am totally aware of how to get the funds from the Centre for developing the region.

Interview by M. R. Shivanna
Courtesy: Star of Mysore