"Hegde, as a Brahmin was not prepared to see a dark-skinned farmer of a low caste become the Prime Minister of India"

“Nobody can finish off anyone else. No political party can finish off another political party. Neither will we finish off anyone nor will the others finish us off. It is all a wrong notion. In fighting for the better prospects of his party, nobody can find fault with him.”

“He is the president of the Janata Dal political party in India and currently a member of Parliament representing his home town Hassan district in Karnataka. His party mainly runs on a plank of social justice and has substantial support in South-central Karnataka.”

“I may be a sleeping politician. But one should know that a sleeping politician is always awake about national politics. I am not like politicians who sleep on national issues though they may be awake physically,”

“Having a good and cultured family background was not enough to be successful in politics. One should live amidst farmers, till land, and tend cows and buffaloes.”

“Rough-spoken and quick to anger, representative to farmers interests made a colourful contrast with the elegant and cultivated Hegde.”

“I am a born fighter throughout my political life. I have not lost my heart by the results of the Parliamentary elections.”