Youth rooting for me, but middle class apathy worrying: Captain G R Gopinath

BANGALORE: Air Deccan founder Captain G R Gopinath is hoping that his heavyweight BJP rival from Bangalore South, H N Ananth Kumar, will show up for a face-to-face debate before the election campaign draws to a close. ���I am looking at a large vote bank of six lakh youths, with common frustrations and dreams, in a constituency where Ananth Kumar won last time by polling just over three lakh votes,��� said Capt Gopi, who is battling as an Independent, when ET caught up with him on Sunday morning. Excerpts:

Have you succeeded in taking your election campaign beyond the symbolism of fighting a decadent system?

It is true that people considered it symbolic when I started the campaign. We are now focused on converting this into votes at the ground level. My slogan is simple: you must vote (and for the right candidate). We have reached a state where 53% did not caste their vote in Bangalore South during last polls.

But have you been able to cut through to the mainstream voters with your messages of fighting corruption and communalism?

During my morning walk campaign on Sunday, one person came to me and said: ���I will vote for you. But I am worried whether others will. I told him he should first decide to make himself the agent of change.��� There are six lakh voters (out of the total 21 lakh) in Bangalore South who are between 18 and 30 years. They have huge frustrations as well as common dreams.

Is it true that you announced yourself as an Independent in South Bangalore after BJP declined to offer a ticket initially.

I would have got BJP ticket if I wanted it. There are several rumours doing rounds including the latest one that I am being put up by S M Krishna.

Do you think Bangalore���s business community has rallied behind the way you had anticipated?

It is not about corporates giving a call to support me. A large swathe of youth is rooting for me, but there is a large middle class who are indifferent.