What kind of role would you say you are playing vis-a-vis the UF government?
What kind of role would you say you are playing vis-a-vis the UF government?
I don't have a role. I don't see a role of mine, except as a citizen.
Then how do you define your position in the present political situation?
I have made it clear, so far as electoral politics is concerned, I will consider it only after 1999. My choices are open after that. Till then, I won't contest elections or campaign. I said this in 1994, that I would not participate in elections or campaign, but I made an exception of this election because I didn't want to let down my colleagues. So I am now doing what I said I would do in 1994. This doesn't mean I have given up the concerns of the country.
What are these concerns?
I feel very strongly about issues like the empowerment of women. There are also issues like electoral reforms, farmers, youth. I would be repeatedly raising these. All of them have a political
impact. That is my agenda, pure and simple. They write that I have taken "political sanyas". Words like "political sanyas" have been created by the press, they have not been said by me.
Do you see the United Front's problems worsening, with resignations and expulsions?
I am not going to go into political things. I feel the best thing is not to say anything about all this rather than say 'A', and then get pushed into saying 'B'. There is no end to it.
Do you feel the resignation of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is a great loss to the Government? Have you lost an old ally?
I am not commenting on the political side. We can talk about issues like labour, defence, electoral reforms, farmers.
Does it behove the Prime Minister of the country to rush to the Mufti's house to pacify him? It is said that he did this because you were displeased. Is that right?
Why should I get into all these things?
Let's put it this way—they say you remote-control the Government. Comment.
No question of that. The Government has its own mind and is capable of taking care of itself. It doesn't need outside control. The Prime Minister is mature and very capable. "Remote control" has become a popular concept. Every morning I am reminded of it. I am surprised by the remote imagination that has created it.
What about the Uttar Pradesh elections? What do you plan to do about a situation where the BJP seems to be ahead?
1999 is 1999. That very time I said that I would campaign for the Parliament elections and not afterwards. I said it on the very first day. It is a falsehood against me that I have changed my stand. Many papers conveniently ignored what I said. Now they say I went back on my earlier position.
So you would perhaps not be visiting Jammu and Kashmir where you are well received?
I don't want to get into all this.
What about reservations for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. Is it gong to be another Mandal?
It is going to be a social revolution, greater than Mandal. With this step, the national agenda will change.
Do you foresee a backlash like the last time?
It is a measure of far-reaching consequences. Anytime you touch a status quo, there is a backlash. In history, whenever the issue of equity and justice has been taken up, there is backlash. The slaves had to revolt to gain freedom—there was a backlash from the rulers. There is a choice between unjust peace and just conflict. You have to choose.
Do you think this kind of measure needs a lot of pressure to be pushed through? And, will you also be playing a part in this?
Yes, for justice and equitable opportunities, I'll play my part.
You are supposed to be meeting Sheila Kini—widow of Ramesh Kini. His landlords, close friends of the Thackerays, are said to be responsible for his death.
Yes, I am supposed to meet her.
She is fighting to expose those responsible for her husband's death. Will you be helping her?
There has to be pressure to bring about justice. But I don't want to discuss individual cases.
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