He is an orator, social activist and a writer. He is known for his activities with the youth and is the founder of ‘Yuva Brigade’ and Head of ‘Team Modi Brigade’ in Karnataka. Apart from conducting rallies, meetings and delivering speeches highlighting the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he sensitises youth on the need of a strong leader like Modi. Star of Mysore caught up with Chakravarthi Sulibele at an apartment in Vontikoppal, Mysuru where he stayed before addressing a public meeting in Hebbal. Excerpts

By Ramesh Kebbehundi

Star of Mysore: Tell us about your extensive tour programmes.

Chakravarthi Sulibele: ‘NaMo Brigade’ was renamed and re-launched as ‘Team Modi Brigade’ to provide wide publicity to PM Modi’s programmes, policies and initiatives. Team Modi became aggressive after BJP suffered a jolt in the elections held in five State Assemblies.

Team Modi started its activities since Jan. 26 this year in Karnataka and there are more than 10,000 volunteers. Of them, 2,000 are active volunteers. We have visited many places across 28 Parliamentary constituencies and conducted more than 150 public programmes and bike rallies highlighting the necessity of Narendra Modi’s leadership with an ultimate aim of making him PM for the second term.

SOM: Opposition leaders have accused that Modi wave is a media creation. Your reaction.

Chakravarthi Sulibele:  It is evident that Modi maintained a distance from                                                                                ‘biased’ media ever since he was elected as Prime Minister. He kept the media at bay due to various reasons but maintained a close connection with people through ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and he has given many interviews too. Now a stage is reached where his works have spoken more than words. And the Opposition cannot digest this and you can see that all the corrupt, tainted and political family fiefdoms have come together with a sole  purpose of defeating Modi.

SOM: Why are you clamouring for Modi’s leadership?

Chakravarthi Sulibele: Today, India needs a strong leadership which only Modi can provide. The country is surrounded by hostile neighbours and India has been a victim of terrorism, aided by Pakistan. During the last five years, the country has emerged as a world power and it is the popular demand that the momentum of development must continue by repeating the government at the Centre. The Modi Model must continue for a powerful India.

Modi has emerged as one of the greatest leaders of the world today. The initiatives launched by him like ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Smart City Mission’, Demonetisation, GST roll out, and ‘Digital India’, ‘Swachh Bharat’, etc. are having a visible impact. Moreover, he has given corruption-free and scandal-free governance unlike the scam-ridden UPA government of 10 years. Modi makes all Indians proud of their country and no leader in India so far has been as inspiring as Modi. India needs a ‘nationalist’ leader like Modi.

SOM: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that BJP’s return to power under the leadership of Modi could solve Kashmir issue. Your views.

Chakravarthi Sulibele: Pakistan PM’s statement is to confuse the voters at a time when our nation is choosing its leader. Imran Khan might be under pressure from Congress leaders as many of them have given pro-Pakistan statements after our Armed Forces destroyed terror camps in Pakistan twice. The statements of Opposition leaders were a clear advantage to Pakistan and may be Imran Khan is trying to project Modi as pro-Pak leader to dent his popularity. But Indians know the game plan.

SOM: How many seats will BJP win in Karnataka this election?   

Chakravarthi Sulibele: According to my observation, the party will win about 16 to 20 seats. I have observed that BJP candidates have been banking a lot on ‘Modi wave’. They have to make a little more efforts and must sweat it out for votes by conducting road shows, padayatras, and door-to-door campaigns instead of just relying only on Modi’s popularity. Lack of coordination between coalition partners JD(S) and Congress in Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan and Tumakuru will prove a boon to BJP.

SOM:  The Supreme Court verdict on re-examining the secret documents on Rafale deal is projected as a set back to Modi. Will it affect the BJP?

Chakravarthi Sulibele: No it will not have any impact on election results as the Court has not given a final verdict. Modi will come clean on this allegation that is a creation by Congress and its President who are hell bent on maligning Modi’s image to cover up their own corrupt dealings. Moreover, Modi has provided a clean government and this is giving sleepless nights to the Opposition.

SOM: Your comments on Modi versus Mahagatbandhan.

Chakravarthi Sulibele: In 2014, Modi had swept the Hindi heartland and he was helped by anti-incumbency factor against the Congress that was widely seen as corrupt and incompetent. More importantly, Modi promised good governance and a dynamic economy and he became successful too. Except for the Opposition, anti-nationals, pseudo-secularists and educated cynics who are obsessed with criticising Modi even if he does good work, the masses love Modi and want him to be the PM again.

Election 2019 is, in many ways, quite uncomplicated. There’s a clear central political force in Narendra Modi around whom the battle lines have been drawn. Bitter enemies have set their differences aside to fight him.

There’s no doubt that Modi has all chances of winning this elections too with his good governance and nation-building works, oratory skills and by having an understanding with many regional parties. Modi has the blessings of first-time voters. Congress has already accepted defeat before the elections by fielding its candidates in 250 constituencies while the BJP has fielded more than 400 candidates.

SOM: Will Balakot bombing and Surgical Strikes help BJP?

Chakravarthi Sulibele: Yes, such bold decisions by Modi have really helped the party in boosting its image and morale of party workers. Though it was Armed Forces that undertook such strikes, it was Modi who provided the decisive leadership. The UPA government went soft on terror and despite the Forces asking for permission to strike Pakistan, the then PM did not give them permission as he was indecisive. Now with Modi’s leadership, we have proved that India is a formidable space power too — a rare distinction.

Modi has proved that he is a strong leader who can take tough decisions to protect the country from external threat and is ready to retaliate when the nation’s security is under threat.  

SOM:  Do you have any intentions of contesting elections?

Chakravarthi Sulibele: Though I have received many chances of contesting elections, I have already clarified that I don’t have such ambitions. Inspired by teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, I have always been involved in instilling the spirit of nationalism among youth. I will continue to sensitise the youth through speeches and writings to make India a powerful country.