Of the seven ministers sworn in with you, two are OBCs and two are from the SC and ST categories. Is this kind of balance going to determine your policies?
Not necessarily. This is my first posture to the state. I am for the OBCs, for those who are backward. I am for industrial development, for cooperatives development. I am for farmers and for panchayati raj. All this will be reflected in my policies.
Your stand on backward classes is sure to cut into Congress vote-banks rather than affect the BJP. This worries the Congress.
These are sensitive issues which are yet to be decided. We will consult the Congress before taking any decision. There will be a Common Minimum Programme with the Congress and the Independents who are supporting us. There will be a coordination committee which will decide such issues.
Arent you beginning your tenure with a series of internal contradictions? You still speak of your RSS-BJP background and wish to continue the previous governments policies.
No partys line will be stressed here. The line will be pro-people. Straight to the common mans heart.
Are you going to join the UF?
We have yet to decide. There is no proposal so far. I will see the Prime Minister when he comes to Gujarat. Let us seewe cannot say anything about the future.
In the past, governments depending on outside support have not lasted long like the V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar governments at the Centre. What kind of stability do you hope to have when only one-third of the MLAs are from your party?
I dont think there will be instability. They have offered unconditional support. Everything will be done in consultation with them. We should last our full term.
There is talk of assembly elections being just six months away.
Let them talk.
The BJP is confident it will return to power. They say the Gujarat electorate does not forgive rebels or place faith in regional parties.
There has not been a case where so many ministers have left their chairs, cars and bungalows, to join a new party. And soon after the birth of my party we had to contest byelections. We were neck-and-neck with the Congress and BJP in their strongholds. What does all this indicate?
Your bypoll losses are cited as the index of your lack of support.
Ultimately all this is decided by the people. Let them decide our future.
