Do you expect the Government to last beyond May 31?
I don't see any difference between Rao's government and Vajpayee's. Rao had a tight-rope walk, then he got MPs when Ajit Singh and his group crossed over. In Vajpayee's case it will be the same. Many more may come. The process has already started.
What does that mean?
No MP wants a mid-term poll. There are people who will break away from the Congress. Some have met me. I can't disclose their names. And should you remain god-fearing gentlemen when the Congress is selling seats?
You spoke to Narasimha Rao. Why?
It was his desire. So we talked of a number of things. I warned him...I cautioned him... .
On what should the Congress do?
The Congress has two options. To abstain from voting or side with the Third Force. How can they support Basu or Deve Gowda...it has been fighting them in their states.
To gather the support of regional parties the BJP is thinking of diluting its stand on Article 370, uniform civil code and Ayodhya. Is this acceptable to you?
My problem is I have given some campaign promises, and there are promises in the manifesto. Ram mandir will be built, but it's not a residential quarter that it has to be finished tomorrow. We have time. Some things need national support. You are not sitting in Delhi to look after your family—Vajpayee doesn't even have one....It's our party's duty not to get our friend into trouble. If something goes wrong, I'll tell Vajpayee. I won't sit quiet.
How would you deal with Kashmir?
These militants should be shot. They are from Pakistan, the ISI is involved everywhere. Vajpayee should have made Jagmohan the home minister—he knows the pulse of the Kashmiri people. Jagmohan knows how to deal with the militants.
The Sena has one minister. Will you seek more berths?
Depends on how many more parties join the BJP Government. I am not going walk around with a begging bowl. Ram Jethmalani has no MPs, but he was made a minister. The Akalis must have insisted on that. After all, he was fighting all those Khalistani cases.
The RSS has stated that the BJP should not use any means possible to remain in power. What is your view?
It is a tough situation. Not easy for the BJP to handle.
