National

'Congress Won't Split; Rao Will Head New Government'

While colleagues like Union Industries Minister K. Karunakaran have started speaking out against the Prime Minister, Pawar prefers to say that he will work under Narasimha Rao. The Maratha strongman speaks his mind.

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'Congress Won't Split; Rao Will Head New Government'
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At election meetings, especially in his western Maharashtra stronghold, they are referring to Sharad Pawar as the 'national leader'. The repeated appeals to 'strengthen his hands' have focused attention on the former chief minister and refuelled the image of the Maratha strongman as one who could play kingmaker, if not king, in the post-poll situation. 

He has covered nearly 10,000 km and addressed about 150 meetings, bringing a keenness and energy to the campaign that was not quite apparent during the state polls last year when he had a troubled time defending himself against a series of allegations. This time, though, his well-honed attacks on the shortcomings of the Shiv Sena-BJP government found their mark. 

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In the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, where cotton and sugarcane farmers are facing a crisis, his sarcastic reference to Chief Minister Manohar Joshi as one whose only knowledge of cotton is that it serves as the wick of the lamp he lights at Ganesh pujas has struck a chord. The response has improved and Pawar, who since 1991 has virtually been the party's sole campaigner in Maharashtra, is in his star role again. 

Putting behind him his own image and the problems of a disunited party, he has concentrated on his new agenda: to send as many Congress MPs to Parliament as he can from his turf. In a state where party optimism is not high, where rebellion has splintered the ranks and crowd support is not what it used to be, that is a tough act to follow. 

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In the end, just how many of the state's 48 MPs will be Congressmen will probably determine Pawar'sfuture role. While supporters speak enthusiastically of the future, Pawar is silent, and not in a hurry to forget the past—when his supporters lobbied to make him prime minister in 1991 and all that ensued was damage. While colleagues like Union Industries Minister K. Karunakaran have started speaking out against the Prime Minister, Pawar prefers to say that he will work under Narasimha Rao. On the last lap of his campaign across the state, Pawar spoke of the Congress' chances to Lekha Rattanani in Khed. Excerpts:

What, according to you, is the Congress position going to be after the polls?

It looks like we will be able to form the government. I am not in a position to claim that we will get an absolute majority but I would say we will get close to a majority. We will sit in Delhi on May 11 and decide the next step, and about who to talk to.

Do you see the Congress as part of a non-BJP government?

I don't feel we have to plan (our moves) from that angle. The Congress tally will be near the majority. We will need the support of small parties not big forces. The problem about bringing bigger parties into the picture will be their difference in ideology.

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But if you do need bigger parties from the Third Force to form the government, will it be stable?

It will be difficult to say. I don't think that will be necessary. We will be able to manage on our strength.

If the Congress forms the government with the help of smaller parties, who will be prime minister?

We are contesting this election under the leadership of Narasimha Rao. Under his leadership we will form the government.

You have been quoted as saying you will enter national politics after the elections. What role do you see for yourself?

Let us see. I am contesting this election from Baramati. It will give me the opportunity to work in Delhi. After so many years in the state, one should look at things beyond it.

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Maharashtra will probably give the Congress the largest group of MPs from any single state. Wouldn't that give you a larger role at theCentre?

I don't agree. The report from Andhra Pradesh is that the Congress will sweep the elections. Even the opinion polls are saying so.

How many seats do you think the Congress is likely to win in Maharashtra?

From the overall picture, it looks like we can retain our share (38 seats) and win back Pune, Aurangabad andWardha.

The talk here and in Delhi is that you are a possible candidate for prime minister. Some Congress campaign speeches also touch on this. Comment?

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As I said before, we are contesting this election under Rao's leadership. Our government will also be under him.

What about Maharashtra? The Congress has had a lot of problems here. Would you continue to take an interest in the state and party unity efforts?

The party will decide that. I have decided that I will not look at day-to-day affairs of the state. I prefer to sit in Delhi and treat Maharashtra like one of the states. Baramati was a district in the state when I was here, that is what Maharashtra will be when I go to Delhi. There will naturally be rapport with the people and interest in the development of Maharashtra. But not in politics. I would like to stay out of all the small matters of who is doing what. There are also enough leaders here to manage the routine day-to-day affairs of the party.

This is the first election the Congress is fighting without a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the lead. Has that affected the party'sprospects?

It is the first election in many years without Indiraji, Panditji or Rajivji. Yes, it is a loss for us. But without anyone from that charismatic family, and without a 'pro' or 'anti' wave, we have had to fight this election on issues, programmes that can be implemented and promises in the manifesto that can be fulfilled.

Do you see the likelihood of a post-election split in the Congress?

Definitely not. There is no possibility of a split in the party after the elections.

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A lot of leaders have left your party recently. Union Industries Minister K. Karunakaran has described them as 'true nationalists' who in a crisis will come back for the national cause. Do you see them returning to form a Congress government?

These things are discussed and resolved at the highest level. I would prefer the forum of the Congress Working Committee to express ideas on this subject.

Coming back toMaharashtra, do you feel your poll campaign has had a better response than what you got last year in the assembly elections?

The meetings are very much better. Though it is very hot, the response has been very good. In other places it is even better than the response to the meetings you have just seen.

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What is turning the tide? The woes of the cotton and sugarcane farmer?

Cotton and cane are the main issues. The other thing is that their (Sena-BJP) propaganda against me has not worked. They have had to take back allegations they had made. Where cotton and cane are concerned, their attitude towards the farming community and unemployed youth has been indifferent. They have made promises but have kept none. They have wound up the Srikrishna Commission and have mismanaged the state.

What about the minorities, are they returning to the Congress fold?

There has been a lot of movement. I feel that they are coming back to the Congress. They know that only the Congress can defeat the communal forces.

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At a campaign rally in Baramati, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi alleged that you had spurned the Centre's directive to detain three smugglers. He said he would write to the Prime Minister seeking the arrest of all those involved. Do you think these statements would affect you and the party?

It will only give me more votes. He has done me a service. He has shown his level and knowledge of administration. The type of language he uses shows his cultural background.

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