Will the LF rally attacking the government mean a parting of ways?
It only means that the Janata Dal and Left Front think differently and have different political commitments. We have a common minimum programme but our issues and methods are not the same. There have been separate rallies earlier also.It is not true that there has been no development or land reforms. These charges are all part of politics. As for corruption, if a party does not talk about corruption today, what can it talk about? But please remember we are in a thumping majority in the Bihar assembly today, even without the Left.
Asked if you would quit if charge-sheeted in the fodder scam, you said "I am still alive". Explain.
That was a slap on the face of those trying to pull me down. The forces which could not remove me on the basis of votes want to do it with chaturai and buddhi (cunning) through the press which they control. These people are anti-Mandal, they do not want the rule of the poor. They want to send me to jail and have a BJP government. They accused me of calling Kurmis dogs in an effort to damage me. But I have remained silent in the face of all this provocation...I do not want to become a Mulayam Singh Yadav or a Kanshi Ram and do a hullabol on the press or beat up somebody. Anyway why should I be targeted? Am I not the one who investigated (the animal husbandry scam) in the first place?
Why have you stayed silent in the face of increasing dissidence within the JD Legislature Party in Bihar?
There is no party with as much discipline as the Janata Dal in Bihar. A few people have spoken out, yes. But I am leaving them alone for the moment. Abhi ham ghayal hain (at present, I am wounded).
How do you react to the Supreme Court judgement putting CBI director Joginder Singh back in charge of the fodder scam?
I have complete faith in the Supreme Court. Unka hukum sar aankhon par (their wish is my command). They always give the right judgements. Anyway, it is a matter between the CBI and the government.
Are relations between you and Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda rather strained?
No, there is no problem. Deve Gowda is a good man. I gave him my support in becoming prime minister. He should be given a chance to work.
