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Sarekoppa Bangarappa is known as an eternal fighter. He is one who has seen the extreme ends of success and defeat. He is one of the leaders who changed parties the maximum number of times.
S Bangarappa has been in active politics for 30 years in Karnataka and of course he was chief minister of Karnataka under the Congress banner. But at the time of the last election he changed his party and joined the BJP, which, ironically, had once described him as "the most corrupt CM". Bangarappa now claims that he had great expectations from BJP, but his new party never considered him as a 'party man'.
Born on October 26, 1933 in Kubatur of Shimoga district in Karnataka, Bangarappa was chief minister during 1992-94. Ever since 1967, he has been a sureshot winner, particularly in Assembly polls, from his pocket borough Soraba. He has been in and out of the Congress. But now, he has finally changed colours altogether. The 71-year-old has joined the BJP, apparently after being ignored and overlooked by the Congress high command. He had left Congresss in 1983 to form the Karnataka Kranti Ranga. After being low-profile for years, he has returned to the active politics after his acquittal in the Classik computer case. Bangarappa was replaced as chief minister in 1992 but he had been trying hard to get the top job again.
Walter Nandalike with S Bangarappa at Mangalore Airport
Bangarappa was in Mangalore on the new year day (January 1, 2005), on his way to Bangalore. Walter Nandalike, Editor-in-chief of daijiworld.com met the former CM and sitting member of Parliament from Soraba and managed to speak with him in his guest room at the Mangalore Airport where he and his supporters were waiting for the flight to the state capital.
He spoke on several issues related to the state as well as national issues. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Q: Various newspapers have been reporting for the past couple of days that you are not very happy with the attitude of the BJP; is it true that you are planning to quit the party?
A: Yes. What you have heard is true and authentic. The BJP has let me down and I am annoyed. I am disappointed with the attitude of some of the BJP leaders at the centre. They never cosidered my followers for any post even though they deserve it. I am planning to form a third front and very soon you will see a third front in the state politics. I have already started playing my cards.
Q: You must be disappointed with some of your family matters, especially about your son who left Congress and joined the BJP for a few days, then immediately joined back the Congress party. Is there any plan to bring him back to your party, the third front?
A: This is a family matter, you press people need not worry about it. I think the press, including you, are wasting your time by asking such questions. Family matters will be managed within the family, and you do not need to worry about them.
Q: Mangalore international airport is one of the auspicious dreams of the Mangaloreans, especially the NRIs. The NRI Forum from Dubai is pressing hard on the project with the state government, but without the support of leader like you, this dream will not come true. How can you help the non-resident Kannadigas on this issue?
A: Oh yes, you are right that international status to Mangalore airport is imminent. But do not harbour a dream for a full-fledged international airport in Mangalore. It is not possible at this moment. But landing a few international flights from the Middle East may be possible by next year or so. The
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