When Sushma Swaraj canvassed in Kannada

FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE TIMES OF INDIA

Title: Sushma knows enough Kannada for the battle
Author: M. Gautham Machaiah
Publication: Times of India
Date: August 20, 1999

BELLARY: BJP candidate Sushma Swaraj, who is pitted against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, will campaign in Kannada. "Nanige swalpa Kannada baruthe (I know a bit of Kannada),'' she says as she reels out a long complex sentence.

How did this lady from Haryana acquire a knowledge of Kannada? The story goes back to two decades when she actively campaigned against Indira Gandhi in the fiercely fought Chikmagalur by-election. Now in Bellary, Ms Swaraj faces Ms Gandhi’s daughter-in-law.

"I have a working knowledge of Kannada, but will have to brush it up a bit,'' says Ms Swaraj, and adds with confidence, ``I will win and represent this constituency for five years. Then, I will be able to speak to you in Kannada fluently.''

Bellary has already taken its toll on her. The water and dust have confined her to the bed with a bad stomach, but this does not prevent her from receiving well-wishers who visit her from all parts of the district and pledge their support. ``Madam, we are with you,'' they all say.

And Ms Swaraj assures them that she will not step out of Bellary until the elections are over. As an after-thought, she adds: "Even after the elections, I will be here because I am going to win.''

But how can she exude such confidence when she is contesting in a constituency where the Congress has not lost even once? "True, the Congress has never lost here, but what has the party done for the constituency? Bellary still remains one of the most backward areas of the country. So why do you want to elect the Congress again? I will change the face of the constituency. The constituency needs motherly treatment which I will provide.''

This is going to be her election promise to the people. The poll plank obviously will be Ms Gandhi's foreign origin.

Ms Swaraj also brushes off criticism that she is as foreign to the people of Bellary as Ms Sonia Gandhi. "I am here only because Ms Gandhi is contesting. My blood boils when I think of India having a foreigner as the Prime Minister. Are we not capable of finding a single Indian to hold this post? I have not come here to fight an election, but to fight the battle of India's self pride,'' she signs off.