[Interview] 'Aiming To Win With A Margin Of Five Lakh Votes' — Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya

In 2019, 28-year-old Tejasvi Surya, still an infant in Karnataka politics, received the biggest surprise of his life. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced his name as its candidate for the prestigious Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency.

A few weeks before the 2019 general elections, senior politician, former union minister, and then the sitting MP from Bangalore South, Ananth Kumar, had succumbed to a terminal ailment. After his passing away, the BJP was scouting for a suitable candidate to replace Kumar. Kumar had won the constituency for six terms beginning in 1996.

Eventually, in late March 2019, the party nominated Surya from the constituency.

Surya's tweet acknowledging his nomination in the wee hours of the night went instantly viral. Little did Surya imagine becoming an MP in his late 20s.

He went on to win the election handsomely by defeating B K Hariprasad — a senior Congress leader by a margin of more than three lakh votes.

Immediately after he took his oath, Surya had to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic in his constituency.

After dedicating two of his five years to managing the pandemic, he prioritised working towards expanding metro connectivity in Bengaluru, along with enhancing access to affordable healthcare, medicines, and scholarships for school children.

Jump to 2024, Surya has been renominated from Bangalore South. The Congress has named Sowmya Reddy as its candidate. Reddy seems keen to avenge her 2023 assembly polls loss in Jayanagara to the BJP.

Swarajya got in touch with Surya to discuss the 2024 contest. An edited copy of the interview follows:

Swarajya: Are you confident of winning the election this time? Although it's a safe constituency, the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to fight you...

Surya: Bengaluru South is emblematic of a highly educated, diverse electorate deeply involved in the city's progress, which is why they consistently support the BJP.

Leadership is truly tested not in times of plenty but in moments of crisis. Over the past five years, the people of Bengaluru have witnessed my dedication firsthand, particularly during my initial term.

In my first year as MP, we faced the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I was at the forefront of the response. When Bengaluru's COVID cases surged to over 40,000 and hospital beds for critical patients became scarce, I identified and addressed flaws in the bed booking system.

I spearheaded the overhaul of the BBMP Bed Booking Software, resulting in the swift availability of over 4,026 beds for critical patients within 100 hours. Additionally, I revitalised four dormant hospitals, adding 350 oxygenated beds for the benefit of citizens. My office also established the nation's largest oxygen concentrator bank, with over 1,200 concentrators, ultimately saving more than 3,000 lives.

Over the past five years, the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Bengaluru South has surged from 14 to 120 in 2024, positioning Bengaluru South as the constituency with the highest number of kendras nationwide.

Furthermore, the people have witnessed my efforts in the aftermath of the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots, where I successfully advocated for the establishment of an NIA office in Bengaluru, in collaboration with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to bolster the city's security.

Moreover, this election holds national significance, as it determines the leader of the nation for the next five years. The people of Bengaluru South, inherently patriotic, will overwhelmingly support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and grant me a significant victory margin on April 26th. I aim to secure victory by at least five lakh votes this time.

Swarajya: The Congress candidate has been questioning the contributions you've made to the constituency...

Surya: I have documented the work done over the last five years in a report which is accessible on my website.

A major highlight is the infusion of projects totaling more than Rs 1.3 lakh crore into Bengaluru over the past five years, a remarkable contribution by PM Modi unparalleled by any previous Prime Minister.

These initiatives encompass a diverse range of developments, including the long-awaited approval for the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, advancements in Phase 2A and 2B of Namma Metro, and the successful completion of the Purple Line. Additionally, there's the creation of a 280 km Satellite Town Ring Road encircling Bengaluru to alleviate congestion, as well as the allocation of 1,500 electric buses for the city's transportation needs. The establishment of an NIA office in Bengaluru further enhances the city's safety and security infrastructure.

Moreover, steadfast efforts were made to fulfill the longstanding commitment to establish a US Consulate in Bengaluru, a pledge pending since the tenure of former Chief Minister S M Krishna, ultimately resulting in its approval.

In addressing the concerns of Sri Guru Raghavendra Cooperative Bank depositors, advocacy for banking reforms facilitated compensation for 78 percent of depositors, amounting to over Rs 753 crore in deposit insurance.

Furthermore, substantial efforts were dedicated to securing interim funding of Rs 900 crore through the SWAMIH Fund for the stalled Mantri Serenity Apartment project, thereby enabling over 1,200 families to realise their dream of homeownership.

Surya: We've observed how the Karnataka Congress government mishandled the water crisis, leaving approximately 80 percent of the city's wards grappling with shortages. Borewells are drying up, and water tanker services, despite supposed regulation by the state government, are either inaccessible or exorbitantly priced.

Despite being aware of an impending drought-like situation six months prior, the Congress government failed to adequately address the dwindling water availability in reservoirs during numerous hearings before the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal. Shockingly, the Congress Deputy Chief Minister even seemed to "welcome" adverse rulings that went against Karnataka's interests.

Bengaluru's water crisis demands urgent and strategic action. My top priority in the upcoming term is to tackle this issue head-on. Through collaborative efforts involving citizens and volunteers, we'll focus on rejuvenating lakes, bolstering rainwater harvesting efforts, and rigorously implementing aquifer recharge projects to ensure sustainable water access for all residents in the long run.

Swarajya: You were just 28-years-old when you were elected as an MP. What message would you give to all the first-time voters?

Surya: Around a decade ago, the youth of our nation decisively elected Shri Narendra Modi ji as Prime Minister. Since then, under his leadership, India has transitioned from being counted among the 'Fragile 5' economies to becoming the world's fifth-largest economy.

PM Modi's focus on youth-centric development is evident through initiatives like Startup India and the revamped National Education Policy, which have propelled India towards rapid growth and innovation, particularly benefiting Bengaluru as the hub of startups.

Programs such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme and Khelo India have empowered our youth to excel in sports, highlighting the importance of physical fitness like never before. Our government's steadfast commitment to national security has ensured India's safety and stability, with a firm stance against terrorism.

The votes of youngsters hold significant importance in sustaining this momentum towards India's goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy. I urge first-time voters to actively participate in shaping our nation's future by supporting strong, visionary leadership and contributing to #AbKiBaar400Paar.

Swarajya: What new commitments can we expect from your campaign? Is there a sense of anti-incumbency among voters? Additionally, how do you respond to accusations from your opponents regarding your campaign's alleged reliance on religious appeals?

Surya: Our campaign has never been founded on religious grounds. The dedication of the Ayodhya temple fulfills a longstanding civilisational commitment, achieved through legal processes. Contrary to our approach, it's the Congress that consistently engages in religiously-driven politics, not the BJP.

The remarks made by Uday Garudachar have been misconstrued. Advocating for the rights of an innocent individual subjected to violence by an unruly mob and striving for justice in such cases cannot be labeled as communal. If anyone's religious liberties are infringed upon, I will continue to stand up for them.

Swarajya: Concerns have arisen regarding the Sri Guru Raghavendra Cooperative Bank, with depositors expressing dissatisfaction and heckling you recently. They claim you haven't adequately protected their interests...

Surya: It's evident from video footage that the Congress orchestrated disruptions at the event, causing distress to numerous women and senior citizens. They should feel ashamed for resorting to such tactics. I've released video evidence on my social media platforms, proving how the Congress planted individuals to create chaos.

Congress lacks both the capability and the willingness to assist 78 per cent of depositors in receiving a five lakh rupee deposit insurance or in reviving the bank. People recognise that only the Modi government can achieve such feats, and they understand that I stand by them during challenging times. This incident clearly exposes the Congress's attempt to deflect attention from its failures.

Can you name another instance where 78 per cent of depositors from a failed cooperative bank received a five lakh rupee deposit insurance? Why didn't this happen during the Congress's tenure? Why did the Congress neglect to bring all cooperative banks under the RBI's oversight for so long?

Why didn't the Congress increase deposit insurance from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and ensure that depositors could claim the insurance within 90 days? All of these measures were implemented by the Modi government as a result of our efforts.

Swarajya: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused BJP MPs from the state of failing to advocate for state issues, such as the delayed release of NDRF funds for drought relief...

Surya: Whether it's Mr. Siddaramaiah or any other Congress leader, it's essential for them to clarify who their prime ministerial candidate is. This election revolves around choosing the country's leader for the next five years. Without addressing this question, the significance of their campaigning efforts diminishes. People are eager to know who the PM face of the Congress party is.

Regarding the Chief Minister's allegations of neglect by BJP MPs from Karnataka, the facts don't support his claims. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership since 2014, tax devolution to Karnataka has significantly increased to Rs 2.82 lakh crore, a notable rise from Rs 81,795 crore in the previous decade—a 250 per cent surge. Grants-in-aid have also seen a substantial 240 per cent increase.

In terms of drought relief, there's a clear contrast. During the UPA tenure from 2004 to 2014, Karnataka received only 8.1 per cent of the requested drought relief funds. In contrast, under the NDA, Karnataka has received 38 per cent of the requested funds, indicating a significant boost in support during challenging times.

Regarding the Mekedatu project, it's important to acknowledge that the Congress, in alliance with the DMK, holds considerable influence. The Karnataka CM and Deputy CM, in positions to negotiate with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu, should channel their influence positively rather than politicizing the matter.

It's time for them to prioritise utilising their political relationships for the state's welfare instead of blaming the BJP for their governance shortcomings.

This report is part of Swarajya's 50 Ground Stories Project - an attempt to throw light on themes and topics that are often overlooked or looked down. You can support this initiative by sponsoring as little as ₹2999. Click here for more details.