MC Interview: Congress party's 'Right to Apprenticeship' for youth will be a game-changer in LS polls, says Rajeev Gowda

Bengaluru North Congress candidate Rajeev Gowda.

Congress candidate for Bengaluru North Lok Sabha segment, Rajeev Gowda, wears multiple hats: public policy expert, economist, academician and politician.

Gowda served as a professor at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, ex-director on the central board of the Reserve Bank of India, and was a Rajya Sabha Member (2014-2020). He is now the Chairman of the Congress’s research department and the party's national spokesperson. He was also the convener of its manifesto committee for the 2019 election.

Last year, he was appointed as Vice-Chairperson with cabinet rank of the State Institute For The Transformation of Karnataka (state planning board). The 60-year-old Gowda, a Wharton graduate, hails from a traditional Congress family.

In his maiden election to the Lok Sabha, he is contesting against the Bengaluru North BJP candidate and Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje. Gowda spoke to Moneycontrol in the middle of his busy campaign schedule.

Excerpts:

You wanted to contest from Bengaluru North in 2014 but lost in the Congress primary. Now, after a decade, you're contesting from the same constituency, which the Congress last won way back in 1999. How do you assess your chances ?

There is tremendous anti-incumbency against the BJP, as people have voted for them four times in a row (in Bengaluru North). They've done nothing for this city or Bengaluru North. Our ground game has improved. Besides, the three MLAs we have in the segment (Krishna Byre Gowda in Byatarayanapura, Byrathi Suresh in Hebbal, and AC Srinivasa in Pulakeshinagar), and Yeshwanthpur BJP MLA, S T Somashekhar, have also extended support. Leaders from other parties from Dasarahalli and K R Pura have also joined us. So, in six out of the eight assembly constituencies, our ground game is strong, and in the other two, we are gaining momentum.

We have two additional advantages. Firstly, the Congress party's guarantees have reached the poorest segments of the population, benefiting tens of lakhs of people. While the Modi government has put them in distress, the Congress government in Karnataka has alleviated their pain. Secondly, Bengaluru has a large number of educated voters, and the response to my candidacy has been positive, especially among BJP-leaning professionals.

Is this poll about Congress's guarantees versus Modi’s guarantees?

Congress guarantees are much more tangible and direct. People remember that Modi was opposing guarantees, and then he became a copycat. Our guarantees are touching people by giving money into their bank accounts.

Unemployment and inflation are major issues in the country. Inflation is not just about headline numbers but also about the reality for the poor. You might hear that inflation is at four and a half percent or five percent and so on, but that's not the reality for the tens of crores of people who are experiencing a situation where their incomes haven't increased, yet prices have doubled. They are facing a real income crisis, with a decline in their purchasing power.

BJP claims that Congress' guarantees in Karnataka are pushing the state to bankruptcy...

We wouldn't have even considered them (poll guarantees) if we couldn't afford them. Of course, implementing them may require diverting resources from one set of activities to another, but it's imperative to note that we cannot prioritise building a new flyover at the cost of people going hungry. Under 10 years of Modi's regime, people's incomes haven't increased, yet the prices of essential commodities have doubled. This highlights the necessity for us to make efforts to provide a social safety net.

While being mindful of our responsibilities under fiscal responsibility and budget management acts, we are also a growing economy. Bengaluru, in particular, serves as a magnet for investment and talent, which augurs well for our future growth prospects. As we continue to grow, we will generate more revenues, and these resources will help balance out our expenditures.

Also, read: After five poll guarantees, Karnataka to hire private consultant to increase tax collection & plug leakages

BJP leaders say the stock market is performing well because of the good governance of Modi government....

The stock market may not accurately reflect the reality of the broader economy, including the informal sector and related aspects. Stock market may be performing well and reaching record levels, but it doesn't necessarily indicate overall economic health. The performance of the stock market often reflects the performance of a limited number of top companies included in the index.

Also, read:  MC Interview: Invest in Modi for multi-fold returns; Cong poll guarantees have no impact, says Tejasvi Surya

You were the convener of the Congress party's manifesto in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress promised NYAY, which offered Rs 72,000 a year to the poorest people, but it didn't reach the grassroots level. How will the Congress party's poll guarantees work in this election?

We will visit every home and distribute guarantee cards. We will find a way to communicate to people about the types of programmes we have lined up for them.

The Congress government in Karnataka blames the Union government for the tax bias against the state. What is your take?

The BJP government at the Centre has treated Karnataka very unfairly and in a very unjust manner. When we need drought relief funds, they're not giving them to us. When we ask for compensation as recommended by the Finance Commission, the Union Finance Minister ignores it. The GST dues and overall tax devolution to us are less than what they should be. Funds announced in the budget for the Upper Bhadra project have not been given.

When you see this kind of injustice being meted out to Karnataka, but 25 BJP MPs elected from here do not even open their mouths in protest, people just get very angry. Everywhere I go, people are saying that anyone who votes for the BJP is anti-Karnataka because of the way the BJP has treated us. It's a very powerful sentiment.

You were seen with Former Union Minister and sitting Bengaluru North BJP MP D V Sadananda (DVS) Gowda as well as Yeshwanthpur BJP MLA S T Somashekhar....

The meeting with DVS was purely coincidental. He was leaving a function as I was entering. We are old friends and were in Parliament together, so we enjoyed a good laugh. Someone captioned it as the outgoing MP wishing the incoming MP (laughs).

Somashekhar' s support is a real benefit to us. He had a workers' meeting where he asked them what he should do because the BJP North Bengaluru candidate had not even asked for his support or reached out to him. He said he felt very hurt and insulted. The workers said they would support me, and that's what happened. It's a huge shot in the arm for us.

Opposition accuses of you of being a dynast and elitist...

I come from a family of freedom fighters. My late uncle M V Krishnappa was involved in India's freedom movement and was also the founder of the Bangalore Dairy which provided livelihood to lakhs of people. He was elected to the Lok Sabha six times. My father, M V Venkatappa, served as the legislative assembly speaker. People are aware of the commendable work they have done, which has garnered a lot of love and affection for me.

The notion of a dynasty arises when someone is perceived as inheriting something without merit. However, unless people delve into it, they may not even be aware of my dynastic background. Most people assume I entered politics through lateral entry from IIM-B.

I grew up listening to their heroic stories, tales of their sacrifices and struggles, including imprisonment. I have been preparing for this since I was five years old, and I was elected to the Rajya Sabha only at the age of 50. Throughout this journey, I have never deviated from my path. Even my wife knew the condition of our marriage—that I would return to India to enter politics—and she has been supportive since then.

Whether it was serving on the RBI board or teaching the best students in the country, some may perceive these roles as elite. However, the reality is that I grew up in Malleshwaram, playing cricket in the fields like everyone else, cycling around, and experiencing the typical middle-class life.

You are considered an intellectual face of the Congress party. Why did you want to contest in a direct election?

I've always wanted to contest in the Lok Sabha election, and this time I had the opportunity. The INDIA alliance must win as many seats as possible. I believe that if I contest the election, I can even garner BJP votes to my side and win this seat. Therefore, it becomes my responsibility to take on the challenge and win a victory for the INDIA alliance.

Also, read: Palace to politics: Mysuru royal family scion to contest on BJP ticket; two sitting Bengaluru MPs retained

It's not an easy or risk-free decision, but at 60 years of age, if I don't fight my first election now, when will I? People tend to stereotype me based on my intellectual background and the positions I've held. However, that doesn't mean I'm not a popular figure or a man of the masses. I'm not someone who sits in an ivory tower; I'm very comfortable and happy among people. I'm approachable and friendly, which should dispel any notion that I'm unsuitable for a direct political career.

Compared to 2019, how is your party positioned for the 2024 polls?

I believe we are in a good position because people have witnessed the failures of the Modi government over the past 10 years. They often boast about having the fastest-growing economy, but that's not solely due to their efforts. It's primarily because of the inherent strength of our economy and the entrepreneurial drive of our people, along with various other factors.

However, when we look at the same fastest-growing economy, where 83 crore people are receiving free rations, it raises questions. If our economy is truly thriving, why is there a need for food subsidies? There's so much hype and marketing and so much denial of reality. Ultimately, people vote with their stomachs as well. No matter how hard the BJP tries to convert these issues into emotional ones, people are ultimately concerned about the future for themselves and their children. When it appears that no new jobs are being created, as evidenced by recent headlines such as those about IIT Madras producing some of the best engineering graduates in the country, yet more than half the class remains unemployed, it becomes a pressing concern.

How is your party tackling unemployment?

In our manifesto, we have introduced a very interesting programme called the 'Right to Apprenticeship.' We will implement a one-year apprenticeship programme in collaboration with government, public, or private sector organisations. This initiative aims to provide a stipend of Rs 1 lakh per year to youth under 25 who are college graduates or hold a diploma. The 'Right to Apprenticeship' for the youth will be a game-changer in this Lok Sabha polls.

We aim to create opportunities for the youth to gain their first job and work experience because it can be transformative. Often, when young people apply for jobs for the first time, they are asked about their work experience. We want to ensure that students and fresh graduates have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through apprenticeships or internships. This will benefit companies by providing them with human resources at a low cost, while the government will subsidise this initiative. It will enable youngsters to take their first step into the world of work, gaining exposure to professionalism, which will give them the confidence to excel in their careers. This programme ensures the right to a professional career.

Also, read: Lok Sabha Election 2024: Congress announces 25 guarantees

North Bengaluru has more than 32 lakh voters, the highest in the state. What’s your vision for the constituency?

It's the new Bengaluru and this is where the action is. So, what we need to focus on now is ensuring that development is sustainable and inclusive. We can't prioritise growth at the expense of the environment, nor can we cater solely to the affluent while neglecting others. So, we need to reconsider the planning approach that has been adopted so far.

Also, read: North Bengaluru turns city’s new hotspot, as infrastructure and business lead the way

What's been happening so far is simply urban sprawl – converting farmland into plots. Now, we need to shift our perspective on development. For effective public transport, we require density. Hence, we should aim for what we call '15-minute cities' – newly designed neighbourhoods where residents can walk to work, entertainment, schools, medical facilities, and shopping areas within 15 minutes. This entails having a certain level of density to foster vibrant communities, possibly involving more medium to high-rise buildings. These neighborhoods should ideally minimise the need for motorised transport, promoting walking or cycling.

Achieving this requires a shift in our planning approach. By paying attention to such aspects, we can reduce our environmental and carbon footprints, preserve our lakes and green spaces, and strive to become a 'blue-green city' that effectively manages rainwater and environmental concerns. As we continue to grow, we must address and rectify the damage caused by previous development practices. All these efforts are essential for our city's future.