Not Sonia, It Is Congress History That Matters: Basu

Excerpts:

Q: The Congress has finally tendered an apology for the demolition in Ayodhya.

A: It is of no value, because people are not such fools. People can make mistakes in voting in the elections but at least they will now understand why the apology is being offered at this stage. It should have happened long time back. So it is not genuine. It is hypocritical, according to me. I dont think it will help the Congress.

Q: Does the same view apply to the 1984 riots and Operation Bluestar, for which Sonia Gandhi apologised?

A: Yes. Operation Bluestar took place so many years back, why was there no apology earlier? Three thousand Sikhs were killed, men, women and children in one and a half days. Records were created by some of the Congress people. Nothing has happened. At that time we had a demonstration of 50,000 people of diverse shades of opinion and religions, but that was never shown on television, and the Congress leader who was in charge of the ministry is still a Congress leader. Now, today, I find that he has been given a ticket.

 

Q: Sonia Gandhi is now campaigning for the Congress. What strategy are you adopting to counter her campaign?

A: What she is saying, I dont know. She is a housewife. She was never in politics. Except that she is Rajiv Gandhis wife, what qualification does she have? Nothing. They are projecting her. Some people may be misled as it has happened earlier in our country. But, we hope that many people will not be misled by her. It is the Congress history that matters. It is the failures of the Congress that matter. That eight plans they had, 45 years they ruled and look at the situation in the country. Forty per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. 10-15 per cent gained something, surely, there is no doubt about it. But, what has happened elsewhere. There were no land reforms. Then the Congress has lost faith in the people. So they are giving advantage to foreigners and not depending on our research and development and not taking the help of our scientists, engineers, technicians and skilled workers. Thats what people should look at. It is not because a lady is standing and she happens to be the wife of a

former prime minister that the people should vote. The people should vote for policies for a government at the Centre which should look after the interest of the people.

Q: In case this election also provides a hung Parliament, are you in favour of a national Government to avoid elections in the immediate future?

A: A national government with the BJP! Not as long as we are alive. I said that as far as the Left is concerned, my party, the CPI(M), its impossible that we form any government, unthinkable, with the BJP. As far as Congress is concerned I hope the situation will not arise that we have to depend on them. But then it depends on what happens after the election, what statements they give, what attitude they have. If there is any such question of our government being supported from outside by the Congress once again, I cant say at this moment. I hope that situation will not arise. But the Congress at least does not formally pretend that it is a communal party. It does not say that it is communal party. Formally it is true. So in that sense there is difference between the Congress and the BJP. Although there is a very large number of the people inside the Congress who are communal minded, fundamentalist in their ideas. The Congress has not yet reviewed its 45 years rule. The AICC meeting was here in Calcutta. No

discussions were held. Now the Congress has become undemocratic. It has even forgot about democracy. And the election commission had to remind it to have elections (organisational polls).

Q: When the Congress was in the process of withdrawing support, unity within the United Front came under strain. Now it seems to be disintegrating, particularly the Janata Dal. How do you see this.

A: The UF did not break up. It is a great achievement that 13 parties have remained together for the last 18 months. And carried on the UF governments activities. We say this should be continued and strengthened, but unfortunately in Bihar, there has been some dissension and break-up of the Janata Dal. But the party is trying to recoup its strength there. Now we should see what happens. But there is a weakness in Bihar. I dont think there is similar weakness in northern states. But there is a big weakness in Bihar. Nothing could be done because all parties got together against ex-chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav.

Q: You indicated recently that the United Front should project its prime ministerial candidate before elections. Please elaborate.

A: I did not do so. Denials about it have already appeared. I said this is done in some western countries where there is parliamentary democracy, a prime minister is projected by the opposition. But in our country, it is a different situation altogether. Particularly, now when there are 13 parties in the United Front, we cannot project a prime minister. That is done after the elections are over, and results are known. And, I said that it will not be a difficult to find a prime minister.

Q: If the situation arises after the polls that UF performs better and is in a position to form a government with the support of allies, will you mind, provided the opportunity comes to you, to lead the country?

A: No, it is not a personal question with me at all. It is a political question. Last time, 13 parties offered prime ministership to my party and asked us to join the government. Our party decided after two meetings of the central committee that we dont think it is wise now to join the government or my becoming the prime minister. But in every way, we shall help the UF government to function. We worked out the common minimum programme, then we organised the steering committee, a core committee to advise the government on policies. But we said we need not join at the moment. Now, I said that when the UF decided its prime minister, we will see. If it is offered to me, I said in another interview...I have never shirked responsibility. I shall certainly accept it if it is offered.

Q: The BJP is projecting Atal Behari Vajpayee as the prime ministerial candidate.

A: No, first of all they have to get power and then only the question of Prime Minster arises. That makes no difference whether it is Atal Behari Vajpayee or some one else.

Q: In West Bengal, there has been a split in the Congress. How will this influence the political scene in the state?

A: As far as the Left Front is concerned we dont depend on this split. But split, sometimes, is surely helpful. But we are not depending on that. We are depending on our strength. And I say that those who have come out of the Congress and formed a new party, Trinamul they called it, its not on principles, no programmes, neither party has any programme. One good thing has happened... that they are proclaiming themselves on the strength of the BJP, those who have come out of the Congress. But it does not mean that all the people who are there in the Congress are non-communal. A large number of communal people are still left in the Congress.

Q: In the last 20 years, the Congress has emerged as the major rival of the Left Front. Now there is the triangular fight in the coming elections. Who will be the major rival of the Left Front, the Congress or the Trinamul Congress?

A: Both now. Yes, the Congress is split. One section is with the BJP openly. Other section may be with the BJP secretly, I dont know. Some cases have happened, even when the Congress was united. Q: It is believed that in the history of communism, it is the party which always plays a greater role than the individual. But in your case there is the lengthening shadow of your political image. It seems that you play a bigger role than the party.

A: No, I dont accept this position. Only recently in the book fair, where a book about me was being released, I said that without the party I am nothing. It is the party which has given me this job so I am in this job. They asked me to do the job of a chief minister. And, I have done it with all my sincerity.

Again I say that it is the party which ultimately decides. But again in Marxism we know that individuals do have a role although we are in

collectives.

Not only because I am a chief minister and leader of the party, each individual has a role to play. I have a role to play here and others have theirs to play down below.