Why is the sanctioned strength of the police in Kandhamal just 500?
The police strength in Orissa is being increased overall. But it takes time to recruit and train policemen.
How would you describe the Bajrang Dal that spearheaded the anti-Christian violence?
The Bajrang Dal is a fundamentalist organisation. Of the 1,000 people arrested, many belong to the Dal and VHP. Stringent action will be taken against those who indulge in communal violence, regardless of affiliation.
Was the delay in action because you run a coalition government with the BJP....
I am not under any pressure from the BJP.
Orissa's law regulating conversion has never been operationalised, allowing the Sangh to make wild claims about conversions; on the other hand, forced reconversions to Hinduism are taking place.
Forced conversion or reconversion are equally wrong.
What about the long-standing disputes in Kandhamal over illegal occupation of tribal land and over government jobs being secured with false caste certificates....
We are working on two fronts in Kandhamal, restoring the rule of law as well as looking at land disputes and false caste certificates. For the second, I have appointed a special administrator, a senior IAS officer.
Parliament and state elections are due soon in Orissa. Much of your current problem is because the BJP is your coalition partner. Will you continue the partnership on the same terms?
Delimitation of constituencies means certain changes in seat allocation will be required. We have been coalition partners for 10 years. When Mr Vajpayee became PM, we joined his government on the basis of a national agenda for governance, a secular document.
