Now that I’m in fray, there’s no looking back: Ramya

Mangalore Today/DHNS

Pandavapura,Mandya- Aug 16: Having remained withdrawn and sombre the last few days, Congress candidate Ramya, who is contesting the Lok Sabha byelection from Mandya, however, looked a lot more cheerful and enthused about the poll, on the day of Varamahalakshmi festival.

The actor-turned-politician, who is making up for lost time, was on Friday seen touring the district with senior leaders, including S M Krishna and G Parameshwara, addressing the gathering with aplomb.

After the public rally in Maddur, Ramya treaded into Sarvodaya Party MLA K S Puttannaiah’s territory, where she spent a substaintial time mingling with the people of the constituency.

 

In an interaction with Deccan Herald, Ramya shared her thoughts on the recent developments – right from her being chosen as the candidate to losing her foster parent, all of which, she says, has left her feeling overwhelmed.

Did you know that Congress had been considering you as one of the contenders for the elections?

Absolutely not. I was completely taken by surprise when party president Parameshwara and the chief minister called me and asked me if I would like to contest the elections. I wanted to contest the 2014 parliamentary elections and I had made my intention known to the party. Though I had not signed up on any films, I had begun work on a project dealing with brand merchandising of a mass ethnic line. I was in fact in Delhi looking for manufacturers and fabrics when I got the call. I immediately spoke to my dad and S M Krishna and asked them if I could do justice, and they told me that I would do just fine. I hopped on the 8 pm flight the same day and reached Bangalore just in time to file the nominations.

As a political novice, are you prepared to take on such a big responsibility?

Honestly, I would have wanted more time. As I was looking at the 2014 elections, I was sure of getting at least six months with the people before contesting the elections. Now that I have jumped into the fray, there’s no looking back.

After your father’s death, you wanted to back out. Do you feel certain now?

Yes, I do. If my father were to be around, then I would have felt more confident. But the entire party has come together to work for me.

But there is a lot of infighting in the Congress, and till date S M Krishna and Ambareesh have not been able to call it a truce.

All the senior leaders have put aside their differences for these elections.

Party rebel candidate Ravindra Srikantaiah’s support is crucial for you. Have you reached out to him seeking support. For, Ambareesh is not ready to do so?

In fact, even yesterday, party senior leaders have tried to pacify Ravindra. But there has been a death in his family, and its not right for us to trouble him at a time like this. I too called him and passed on my condolences. And no, I didn’t ask him to support me. If he feels the need to support me, then he will do so. I will not fight for it. I am reaching out to the people, asking them to put their faith in me and vote for me.

How much of Mandya politics do you understand?

My father has always been connected with politics and I have inherited knowledge on issues pertaining to the district. I am also getting a lot of feedback from the MLAs. Also, on these campaign tours, I am myself noticing and learning about many aspects, which I hope I will be able to address effectively. I also hope to raise a question in Parliament, if I win these elections.

Do you feel confident about victory? What if you fail?

I have never been scared of failing. I failed in maths in school and some of my films have failed. Failure doesn’t bother me. I am here to stay in politics.

What are your strategies? Have you asked for your colleagues in Sandalwood to support you?

I am not strategising. Since there is so little time, I am only concentrating on reaching out to people. No, I haven’t asked anybody in the industry to support me. But MPs Azharuddin and Chiranjeevi will be campaigning for me.