BS Yediyurappa, former chief minister and BJP’s tallest Lingayat leader in Karnataka, still holds sway over the party’s Lingayat vote base. In an interview to ET, he claims BJP would get majority on its own, but doesn’t rule out JDS from the election race. Excerpts:

On the prevailing mood
Very good…better than expectation, people are supporting us. We are going to get a majority on our own and will get a minimum of 130 seats.

On Jagdish Shettar and Laxman Savadi switching to Congress
Laxman Savadi was made deputy CM even though he lost the election and he was an MLC and his tenure of more than five years was left. And to Jagadish Shettar, Amit Shah promised him to come to Delhi and become a central minister and also (said that) if you are very particular, we can give a ticket to your wife…even then he refused. He may now lose in his own constituency. We tried our level best to convince all the rebel leaders.On BJP state government not abolishing muslim quota
We will take up this issue in Parliament.

On not being BJP CM face
I decided not to contest the assembly elections. But I am working for the victory of my party and will be addressing more than 50 rallies by the end of this election. There is no dearth of leadership in Karnataka. And then, we have Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah

On Basavaraj Bommai as CM
He is doing very well. I am happy about his performance. After the election, the party will take a decision on CM.

On whether a Lingayat would be next CM if BJP voted to power
The BJP’s central leadership will take the decision. What can I say is a sitting MLA would be the CM. No one is coming from outside, no one is coming from Delhi.

On Congress wooing Lingayats
It is impossible for them to get more than 6-7% Lingayat votes.

On Congress talking about banning Bajrang Dal
Congress was foolish to promise a ban on Bajrang Dal. They will face its impact across the state.

On raising local or national issues
We must raise both issues. Congress is unnecessarily raising some issues.

On many leaders claiming that JDS is on the decline.
They are a state party and may win 25-30 seats.

If required, will BJP take the support of JDS
It will not be hung assembly. We (BJP) will get absolute majority. There is no question of taking support from JDS because last time when we formed the government with them, we faced so many problems and we will not have alliance with them.

On son Vijayendra
He is working hard and he will win from Shikaripura by a margin of more than 40,000 votes.