Your popularity graph has dipped after you inducted criminals and history-sheeters in your cabinet.
There are two types of reactions: of the masses and of the classes. A small section of society may have this impression that my graph has come down but, as far as the general masses are concerned, our graph is still going high. I've not yet come across a single person who has any adverse comment to offer. People want political stability and we have fulfilled their expectations. And we will complete four years.
You had to compromise at every step in order to form a government. Whatever happened to the party "with a difference"?
Hamaare liye badi musibat hai (it's a big problem for us). Earlier people would say I didn't know politics. This time we have come out in the open and shot the goal. We are out of the baithak culture. And let me tell you—the road to Delhi is clear. Those who criticise us sit in glass-houses; their houses are full of dirt. Unke kapde keechad mein sane hein (they wear sullied clothes).
But how do you explain the entry of known criminals in your cabinet?
No criminal has been sworn in. As for cases, I've also faced such charges. I was arrested under MISA (during Emergency) and the charge was: cutting wire on an electricity pole.
How do you differentiate yourself from opponents like Mulayam Singh Yadav, who rationalises in the same manner?
We are different from them...everything will be alright.
You have ordered an inquiry into Mayawati's deals. Isn't that vindictive politics?
I am carrying out a crusade against corruption with honesty. I've studied the files and I'm shocked. The way funds were diverted is shocking. I can give you all the papers, you won't be able to publish it in one issue.
But BJP ministers were party to the decisions—all files were cleared with their signatures.
(Thumping the table thrice loudly) Only Mayawati is responsible, Mayawati is responsible, Mayawati is responsible. This I say in my capacity as chief minister. To my knowledge, no BJP minister was involved.
Some of your own partymen are not happy with your jumbo cabinet.
To my knowledge there are no dissidents. But can everybody be given a ministry?
But all the defectors have been given ministerial berths.
So what? Cabinet kya koi dhaai sau logon ki banegi (you want a 250-member cabinet)?
