Sangliana explains his volte-face

Open to contest on Congress ticket

Expelled BJP MP H.T. Sangliana created a flutter when he defied his party and voted for the UPA in the confidence vote in Parliament. In this interview he explains his stand and says he went by his conscience.

Why did you vote in favour of the UPA?
I voted for the government purely on a matter of principle. To me the national interest is paramount and I never consider it to be subservient to party interest. I firmly believe the nuclear deal is very important for the overall development of the country and the future generations would not have forgiven us if we did not carry on with the deal.

What are your future plans? Has the Congress made any overtures to you? If so, is it from the Karnataka state unit or are you planning to go back to your hometown?
In the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2004, I was the giant killer who ousted veteran Congress leader CK Jaffer Sharief. It is my view that the people of Karnataka did not vote for the BJP, they voted for me in recognition of my contribution towards the society. It is not me who approached the BJP, it is they who approached me and made use of my image. My candidacy helped them to claim that they were secular. I am pained to find that the party cadre in the state are not up to my expectation and quality.

Do you believe the people are with you under the changed circumstances?
Yes, people still come to me with their grievances. As I said, I owe my reputation to my service to society and not to the BJP. The fact that people still have faith in me shows they appreciate my works taken up in my constituency. They know I am not corrupt, that I stand for my principles, that I don’t compromise on my integrity. In fact I feel they are even more with me than earlier when I was in the BJP!

As far as my political future is concerned, I have no problem in contesting on a Congress ticket, if I am given a chance. What is important for me is the welfare of the people, more than anything else. I have good rapport with some of the senior Congress leaders… But it will definitely be from Karnataka. The people of Karnataka have showered me with their love and affection and I have lived here for so long. I have no intentions of returning to my hometown.