BENGALURU: From being a political recluse in 2016 to becoming a cabinet minister and torchbearer of his father, former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legacy, the 45-year-old Yathindra Siddaramaiah has come a long way in a short time.While he believes it is hard to walk out of his father’s shadow, Yathindra believes he can and will carve out a political image of his own.Excerpts from his interview with TOI:As a first time minister…I have to hit the ground running as there is only one and half years left, with the last six months lost in preparation for the 2028 elections. UDD is a maze and I need to navigate through them to fast track projects and get them completed on time.But as only one time MLA and one time MLC, people questioned your induction ?Every cabinet has a mix of the old and new faces. In my particular case, the high command decided to induct me immediately even before my father had to step down. The rest of the new faces will arrive with cabinet expansion.So you are the nominee of your father or representative of the Kuruba community ?Both. Since my father was a representative of the community and the chief minister, there was little to consider. But now with him stepping down, the high command believed that giving me, his son, the ministerial berth would help in pacifying the community which is dismayed with Siddaramaiah being asked to vacate the post and also increase the representation of the Kuruba community.But emerging out of your father’s shadow will be a challenge ?It definitely is. He is a once in a generation leader. I will not even attempt to step into his shoes as he cannot be replaced. But if I remain true to my ideology and remain committed in my approach then I shall be able to carve out my own identity. I intend to have a long career in politics.So you will provide continuity to the AHINDA leadership ?The movement is bigger than any leader. Already my father has made it clear that he is not moving away from active politics and will continue to work for the downtrodden and protect the constitution. He will continue to be the face of the AHINDA movement. Other leaders will have to join it to cultivate a new generation of leadership. If the new leadership proves their capacity, and not just me, they will emerge as leaders.So you intend to contest assembly elections in 2028 ?Yes. Even in 2023 I wanted to contest but the high command asked me to vacate the Varuna constituency for my father so that he could concentrate on other seats. In 2028 I intend to contest from Varuna.You are also the house leader in the legislative council…It is in fact a bigger challenge than that of handling a department. If you have the right intent and political acumen to handle the bureaucracy it will be easy. But as house leader you need to tackle the opposition and answer to the peoples’ representatives. But with experience that too can be managed.You are the UDD minister under whom MUDA features, now MDA. Will the alleged controversy involving your parents may put you in conflict of position ?No, I do not believe so. Although there has been an appeal filed in the higher courts, the peoples’ representatives court has already accepted the B report filed by the investigating agencies. So my parents have been given a clean chit.Your preliminary intent in the department ?A lot of the smaller cities and towns do not have a masterplan. For every work related to land use and change in land use, people are forced to approach the department. A master plan will set them right. Also the CM announced the B to A khata extension to the entire state. This needs to be done seamlessly to help people. We will be digitising land records across the towns and cities. As UDD minister, your thoughts on the likes of Bidadi townships ?While I do not interfere in the Bidadi township ongoing, in general I do believe that they are necessary to decongest cities. At the same time farmers’ voices need to be heard and cannot be pushed into parting with their land. A compromise on the compensation has to be identified so that it is a win-win situation for all.
