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Onetime prime minister V.P. Singh may suffer from a sick kidney,
but his political health remains strong.
Singh, leader of the centrist Janata Dal, cobbled together the
13-party United Front last year, exploiting both his moral
authority (he is regarded as incorruptible, even ascetic) as well
as old loyalties. Last week, Singh, 65, was playing honest broker
again. From his hospital bed he spoke with federal and state
leaders of all stripes to negotiate a compromise between Congress
and the Front. Singh discussed his efforts with Contributor Ruchira
Gupta. Excerpts from their conversation:
What have you accomplished?
I have got the bickering parties in the Front to close ranks, and I
have exposed Congress's game of numbers. I have explained to
Congress that since they cannot divide the Front, they will not get
the parliamentary support they need to stake a claim to govern. The
two sides are now forced to talk.
So what will the outcome be?
It's too early to say, but it looks increasingly as if the only
options left to Congress are either to go along with the Front or
to impose an election on its MPs - which is not too bad for us. We
have the chief ministers in 10 states, better than any other party,
and I have told Congress leaders that we will fight hard. If they
press for polls, they will face a revolt within their own party.
Their MPs currently have four more years guaranteed. They don't
want that jeopardized, particularly since they do not see
themselves doing better in a fresh election.
Does the BJP benefit from the political uncertainty?
If [Congress leader Sitaram] Kesri forces an election, the BJP
gains not in states where we are in power but in states which
Congress rules. It will be at their cost, not ours.
Is Congress being irresponsible?
Yes. Passage of the finance bill is delayed. Talks between India
and Pakistan, which were close to a breakthrough, are affected. If
Congress has problems with us, it should raise them in Parliament.
Mr. Kesri has been hasty. Neither the prime minister nor the
Front has given him cause to behave this way.
Even if you sort things out, how long can any fresh arrangement
last?
This government will become stronger. The Front is already more
cohesive because of this crisis.
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