HVK Archives: Parties disliking UF ideology can leave
Parties disliking UF ideology can leave - The Observer
Sudheer
()
April 3, 1998
Title: Parties disliking UF ideology can leave
Author: Sudheer
Publication : The Observer
Date: April 3, 1998
Janata Dal's Parliamentary party leader and former Railway
Minister Ram Vilas Paswan finds himself in a bind while reacting
to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's call for consensus on
important issues. The simple reason distrust.
Paswan does not consider the BJP as an honest political party.
He is doubtful about the longevity of the BJP-led Government.
In an interview with Suresh Nautiyal, Paswan says no one is in
oblivion for long in politics, and expressed hope that the
secular forces will ultimately come together to oust the BJP.
Bitter though he may be against the Congress for forcing these
elections, he says that it is time for all secular forces to join
hands. Paswan also denies that he would desert the Janata in
favour of the Samata Party. Excerpts.'
The Prime Minister has called for a consensus on important
issues. Do you consider the call as a positive step towards
solving various problems?
It is easy to talk like that. What is important is the will to do
what one preaches. I do not think the party will show any
commitment to the 'National Agenda for Governance' (NAG). A BJP
Minister has already said that the BJP was committed to its
agenda. This is contrary to the Prime Minister's assertions.
The NAG has not included issues like, Article 370, Common Civil
Code, Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura. Do you think the BJP will allow
these issues to lapse with the passage of time?
For the time being the BJP has not pressed for the inclusion of
these issues in the common agenda, primarily due to pressure from
its allies. However, I am sure that the party will try to revive
these issues when it thinks the time is ripe or when it gets the
majority in future. Do you agree with the BJP's idea to review
the Constitution?
No, I do not agree with this. There should not be any changes in
the basic features of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister has observed that ambassadors and high
commissioners, who were appointed by the UF Government, should
put in their papers in view of the change of guard back home?
I Would not like to comment on that. It is the prerogative of the
Prime Minister to appoint or recall any ambassador or high
commissioner. We will do the same when we return to power.
Do you perceive a threat to non BJP Governments in the states?
The threat perception is very much there. You never know what the
BJP can do all of a sudden. However I believe that except in
Bihar, no non BJP Government deserves to be dismissed. But
ultimately it depends on the Prime Minister and his work style.
In Karnataka, Chief Minister J H Patel has said tile Vajpayee
Government should be extended issue-based support. Is it because
he foresees a threat to his Government or is it because he might
be under the influence of Lok Shakti leader R K Hegde? I do not
think the Karnataka Chief Minister has made such an observation.
Also, I think he has done nothing which can prompt the Union
Government to dismiss his Government. I do not think he is
fearing dismissal of his government. Besides, being a leader of
the JD, there is no question of Patel coming under the influence
of Hegde.
Cracks in the UF has already shown up. The TDP has voted in
favour of the trust vote. National Conference abstained in order
to help the BJP, and the AGP has also favoured the BJP. Now the
TMC is willing to merge with the Congress. Where is the UF
heading?
The United Front is very much united and alive to the aspirations
of the people. It will remain so because it was established after
the elections of 1996, on the basis of an ideology. If some
parties do not like to subscribe to such an ideology any more, it
is better that they leave the front. It hardly matters if
'Naidus' leave the front. However, I would request the people to
scrutinise the actions of such leaders. It does not take much
time for such people to get exposed. Even those parties which
admit such leaders know where they stand. They are considered as
Aya Ram, Gaya Ram only. Had the TDP remained with the UF, the
Congress and UF would have been able to bring down the BJP
Government and form a Government of their own.
Would it he apt to form a Government with the help of the
Congress as the UF fought elections on an anti Congress plank?
Today's political scenario is entirely different from the one
during the pre poll period. Among the secular forces itself,
priorities have changed. But this does not mean that we no longer
hold the Congress responsible for the elections. Forcing
elections was really unfortunate. The UF Government was
doing quite well. It had a dream to bring about positive changes
in several areas by enacting the relevant Acts. The political
will was there but that was not due to its minority character.
Whenever personal interests outdo national interests, such a
tragedy is most likely to take place. We need to understand that
if we go to the voters so often for their mandate, the BJP is
bound to gain as that party has the support of its different arms
like the VHP, RSS, and Bajrang Dal besides the media.
Chandrababu Naidu said he was compelled to extend support to the
BJP led Government as the Telugu atmagauravam was undermined by
the UF leaders?
It is never difficult to find excuses on one pretext or the
other.
There are reports that you have been toying with the idea of
joining the Samata Party?
There is no truth at all. I am not pondering over the idea of
joining the Samata Party. However, it is true that Samata Party
leader Nitish Kumar talked to me over telephone and the matter
had superficially figured during the course of the conversation.
However, I made my stand clear telling him that I was leader of
the Janata Dal Parliamentary Party and such a question did not
arise. At the same time, I would like to add that our party, like
the Samata Party, has been fighting for the ouster of the Rabri
Devi led RJD Government in Bihar.
Some JD leaders are already in touch with RJD President Laloo
Prasad Yadav. Besides, your party withdrew its Candidate in Patna
constituency as part of the endeavour to come close to the RJD?
There is no truth in the reports of the RJD and JD coming closer.
Laloo Prasad Yadav is already out of the JD. The issues on which
Laloo was ousted from the JD remain. How can we compromise with a
person who even went to the extent of putting up his candidates
in West Bengal to get the CPM candidates defeated?
However, there are people who have been hobnobbing with the RJD
since long. But they have failed in their efforts and motives.
As regards withdrawing of the JD candidate from Patna
constituency, it was done to facilitate the CPI (ML) candidate
and not to favour the RJD candidate.
Railway 'Minister Nitish Kumar has declared to review the status
of the railways. Do you perceive any shift In policies and
programmes for the development of the backward areas?
I hope the new Railways Minister will continue to work to wards
the development of the backward areas in the country and the
priorities set by the UF and previous governments will not be
altered. I still believe that the railways must get extra funds
to construct and operate new lines in the rural and backward
areas.
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