Dr Murli Manohar Joshi is the man in the eye of the latest storm in the BJP. With the media virtually barricading his house since the day he announced his resignation, the HRD minister is having a tough time fending anxious queries. Excerpts from an interview:
It is being said that you are in a corner. That you are looking for an honourable exit route out of this mess....
If you cast your mind back to December 1992, was there a difference in your and Mr Advani's actions? Why has he alone been exonerated?
If this order is reviewed, isn't there a risk that the order dropping criminal charges against Advani too will be reviewed? Have you discussed this with him?
There are whispers that a "special deal" was made for the deputy PM?
Do you think there's a deliberate move by some people to marginalise you?
But recently the BJP president failed to invite you for an important meeting at his house....
There is an impression that the rss is not backing you this time?
If the PM asks you to withdraw your resignation, will you do so?
It is often said that the cabinet is packed with Advani men. There is even a group of Pramod Mahajan loyalists but very few people speak for Mr Vajpayee. Do you see yourself as a Vajpayee man?
Do you see Mr Advani as the natural successor to Vajpayee?
