Aviation guru reveals why he wants to land in Lok Sabha

Captain Gopinath, founder of Air Deccan (now Kingfisher Red) and father of Indian budget airline travel, is the wildcard entry in Bangalore this time.

MiD DAY caught up with him on Ugadi, Kannada new year's day, and he explained why he felt like taking on the likes of former chief minister S M Krishna, former aviation minister Ananth Kumar, and retired super cop H T Sangliana.

MiDDAY: You are from Hassan, and are popular there. Why are you contesting from Bangalore?

Capt Gopinath: I began my politics in Hassan. I had contested assembly elections from Gandasi on a BJP ticket. I was a farmer then, and had settled in my native place. Now the situation is different. I have my business to run in Bangalore. Deccan Air Cargo is going to be launched shortly. I have to concentrate on that while doing politics. And I have settled here, so the choice in natural.

What prompted you to come back to politics after an unsuccessful attempt to enter the Karnataka assembly?

I was completely out of politics, focusing only on business. But I could not keep quiet after the 26/11 Mumbai attack. And then this moral policing started haunting us. My blood was boiling when I saw those attacks on churches, pubs and women, and I thought I must do something.u00a0 My friends, like Kiran Majumadar-Shaw, advised me to be politically active. I thought this was the right time to take the plunge. I think it is important that people like us be in active politics. If you go on criticising the system without participating in it, it won't serve any purpose. My candidature should inspire sensible people to come to politics.

Why did you prefer to be an independent?

No party is free of corruption and caste politics... I don't want to be a prisoner in these parties. I believe an independent candidate is more powerful and free than a party candidate. If we have 20 to 30 independents, we can be key drivers. We cannot expect this to happen immediately, but I think we have to sow the seeds now.

Which constituency are you looking for?

Either Bangalore (Central) or Bangalore (South)... Then there is Bangalore (North). I will finalise it in a day or two.

The BJP is covertly supporting the moral police. Do you regret associating with that party earlier?

No regrets because then the BJP was known for discipline and values. I was young and into farming. It suited me. Now, the party is completely communal and without any democratic principles. While the BJP is communal, the Congress and the JD(S) are indulging in caste politics. And corruption is the common factor.u00a0u00a0

Can you really take on these giants as an independent candidate?

When I launched Deccan Aviation, people asked me the same question. They thought I could not do anything when there was a cartel of strong carriers. I broke the cartel and single-handedly built the brand. The same applies here. Believe in yourself, follow your heart, and you can do it.

But they say money is a key factor in elections... how will you face elections when the big parties are splurging madly?

I don't need money. Don't think only money and muscle give you strength. How could Gandhiji have won against the British? If they have money and muscle, people like us can fight them with our moral strength. Had I gone in for spending money to win votes, I would have been just another politician... and there would have been no need for me.

How are your friends helping you? Are they helping you get funds?

After all, there is a ceiling on election spending. I cannot spend more that Rs 10 lakh. I can put in some money from my pocket, and contributions may come in. If there is a surplus, it goes to the NGOs.

What hope can you give the young to take on the moral brigade?

My candidature itself is hope. It must instil courage in them. I advise people not to sit quiet when something like this is happening. They must protest peacefully. Today, the police seem helpless because of political and bureaucratic compulsions. When the public is sensitive the police may get active.

Some are sceptical about your political venture. They think you are playing into somebody's hands.

I leave this to their inference. But one thing is for sure. I may not win these elections, but I can impact other candidates' victory or defeat. Supposing I get one lakh votes in Bangalore (South), and Ananth Kumar loses by as many votes, I have impacted his defeat. But this is circumstantial.

What if some parties approach you?

They are welcome as long as they support me. They can support me by not putting up their candidates.

What if they try to pursuade you to withdraw?

I will not budge. I am determined to contest, and I will contest.
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You have been a farmer, a pilot, a military man, an entrepreneur, and a politician. Who is the real you?

I like to call myself a farmer. I used toil on our farms in Gorur near Hassan. I am an entrepreneur next, as I can nurse my dreams and build an organisation that can generate thousands of jobs.

Gopinath dossier

Name: Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Gopinath

Eats: South Indian food. Sometimes digs into non-veg, but not at home.u00a0

Wears: White shorts and dark trousers; loves jeans.

His day: Gets up early and practices yoga under the guidance of a teacher. Shirsaasana is his favourite. Walks to his Cunningham Road office from his house on Vittal Malya Road. "It's a joy to walk through Cubbon Park," he says.

His background: Mother tongue is Kannada and he speaks Kannada most of the time. The famous Kananda novelist Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar (who shares his name with Gopinath's father) was a close relative. Gopinath has read all his work. He has also read Kuvempu, Pu Thi Narasimhachar, Shivarama Karanth and other Kannada greats. His favourite English writers are Tolstoy and Dostovesky.
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Book coming

Gopinath is writing an autobiography. It is called Simply Fly. Harper Collins plans to publish it in August or September. A Kannada version will follow soon.

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