Nandan Nilekani hit me below the belt, says Ananth Kumar

In an interview with with ET, Ananth Kumar shares his views on various aspects of his victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Edited excerpts.

On what’s special about this win.

This reassures me that the people of Bangalore continue to love me, and have faith in me. All the mud-slinging, canards and vicious campaigns against me have been answered.

On the role he expects at the Centre.

Whatever role the prime minister or the president of the party gives me I will do that to the best of my abilities. I have worked in both government and the organization. Both are important.

On the message for chief minister Siddaramaiah in the BJP win in Karnataka.

The countdown has begun for the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, more so for Siddaramaiah in Karnataka. Like Tarun Gogoi in Assam, he too should take a call on leaving his post.

On the rivalry with Nandan Nilekani.

This was the first time someone tried to hit me below the belt. That pained me. I never expected that from my Congress opponent. No one carried out a campaign like this, which was totally personal and vicious. I was dismayed that a person of such a standing indulged in this type of campaign.

On his margin of victory.

I had expected a comfortable margin of one lakh votes. But this [an over 2-lakh margin] is overwhelming. This shows the goodwill people have for me.