I regret entering politics

 

 

His moves are thoughtful and well planned. The former Prime Minister V. P. Singh is popularly known as Mandal Messiha for his commanding and daring role in extending affirmative action through reservations in government employment to the long-deprived sections of the society. After struggling with cancer, V. P. Singh has reappeared after years with issues related to farmers and a much sympathetic approach towards his old rival Rajiv Gandhi’s family. He spoke to TSI while undergoing dialysis at the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.

How do you view the Congress handling the Uttar Pradesh situation?

The Congress party should have done more ground work. They should have started a movement, some agitation with the people against the government first. Then they would have been in a better position.

Do you favour President’s Rule in UP?

Now that elections have been announced, there is no need for President’s Rule there.

Do you think there is political space for a party like yours in the UP elections?

It’s there and (pauses) we will prove it.

The upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh will be your first electoral test. Are you nervous?

No, I am confident. Anybody may lose or win, but we can only be gainers. We have nothing to lose as we are starting from scratch. We plan to win a lot of seats along with the alliances. (Smiles) We can surprise people.

Will you have an alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh?

(Pauses again) I don’t know. The Congress party has to make up its mind. I cannot take decisions on my own. They approached us twice, but after that they have not come back. If they are willing, we will consider. The CPI, Justice Party, Adhikar Manch, National Loktantrik Party, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ambavat) are already our allies.

Who do you think will form the government in UP?

It could be anybody, but it is sure that the government will not be formed without us.

Will you support BSP in the post-election scenario?

We are open to all equations including BSP, but only if the party doesn’t have any link with the BJP. We are not interested in forming a government. We will give support to anyone who agrees with our agenda. Our issues are: Will you stop acquisition of lands? Will you take some steps to relieve farmer’s debt? Muslims in Mandal? Are you ready to make special component plans for the Dalits? If your answer is “No,” we have nothing to do with you. What do you have to say about your ally, Sakshi Maharaj’s role in the Babri Masjid demolition?

He has written a letter regretting his past, saying that he will fight against the BJP with the secular forces.

But Samajwadi Party is planning to show the visuals of Sakshi Maharaj demolishing Babri Masjid?

(Irritated) What about those visuals when he was going along with them? However, it is still open for us to take a decision. Let us see how much of this alliance holds. We all may not be there by the end. Anybody guilty of demolishing Babri Masjid needs to be punished. There is no question of compromise on that.

Has the Third Front lost its relevance or do you see its revival?

That is a different thing, different context. It has not lost its relevance. However, we can form a Third Front only if the Left is willing to join it. Otherwise, any talk about the Third Front will remain absolute gossip.

Do you see revival of the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh?

If Congress goes to the polls alone in UP, then it is not possible.

Is there any similarity in Rahul Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi’s style of working?

I will not go into individual comparison. I don’t know Rahul so well.

When you were PM, besides you, the most vocal critic of Reliance was Arun Shourie. Now he’s all praise for them. Do you still hold the same views?

Reliance as a company or individual doesn’t matter to me. We can oppose certain actions but not the entire organisation. Right now, they are almost going to take over agriculture by corporatising it. It is not only about Reliance, other companies are also doing it. Let us talk in general. (Angrily) Why you are only fixed on Reliance?

Aren’t Special Economic Zones necessary to speed up industrialisation and development process?

What is SEZ? Europe, UK and America have developed without SEZs. India too has so far industrialised without SEZ. China has set up only six SEZ and we are setting up 350. What a foolish thing to do! Where are the free market protagonists? Why don’t all these big companies negotiate land price with farmers directly? Why do they need a government’s help in land acquisition?

Do you approve of Left Front’s handling of the Singur and Nandigram issues?

My stand is very clear. In both the places, there should be direct negotiation between the industry and farmers for buying land. The government should enter to consolidate the project only after the industry has already acquired 80 percent land. Besides land, steel and cement are also needed for development. Why are Tata’s steel and Birla’s cement or machinery not acquired, while farmers’ properties are acquired by the government? This is the biggest hypocrisy of free marketers. What do you expect from the budget?

I expect the government to reform the agriculture sector. There should be some relief on debt to stop the farmer from committing suicides. But this alone will not work. The terms of trade have to be changed. Neither private nor public investments are reaching the farmer. The impact of globalisation has to be assessed to see how we can help farmer.

You’ve mocked Amitabh Bachchan as the cinestar who was a loser in politics. But now, aren’t you taking the help of another film star, Raj Babbar, to revive your political fortune?

Show me one statement! I have never mentioned Amitabh Bachchan. I might have mentioned something about Ajitabh (his brother), but never said a word about Amitabh. All that has appeared in the media has come from Amitabh himself, not me. And Raj Babber is certainly reviving the party. But Raj was in students’ politics before being a film star; he was a member of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha. He is also a member of Parliament for the past three terms.

Do you regret being called ‘Mandal Messiha’ ?

Never! That is my strongest point! It has changed the history.

You are singularly credited for ushering in politics of casteism that resulted in the birth of several caste-based political parties?

If that is true, then why has everyone followed reservations? Who has the face to accuse me when everyone did the same thing. There is nothing wrong in what they did. If you can exploit them on the basis of caste, then what is wrong if they become powerful and form a party on the basis of caste.

Do you regret hurting Rajiv Gandhi over the Bofors issue?

No, we fought honestly on the issue.

You are now sympathetic towards Sonia and her children. Is it out of concern or is it just part of the game?

I have been with IndiraJi and she was very kind to me; she built me. I have regards for the family. There could be differences on the basis of issues in politics, but I also support them. I discuss only issues and policies. I never discuss individuals.

Is there some thing you regret doing in your life?

Entering politics.