'I Have Realised My Mistake'

What was the real reason behind you resignation from the post of Railway Minister? Why did you take itback after sticking with it for two days?

Speaking from the podium at Samta Party national council, some colleagues raised certain issues for nojustifiable reason. Even the manner in which the issues were raised was not right. I also got the falseimpression that they had boycotted the council after raising those issues. Infuriated by this, I made thewrong decision of resigning from my ministerial post. Later I realised that my decision had disappointed theparty, the railway officials, many workers' groups and my ministerial colleagues in the central government. Ifelt that I had hurt a lot of people by my emotional act. That is why I took back my resignation.

Is it true that the rest of the Samta MPs teamed up against the decision taken at your behest to expelthe two MPs - Brahmanand Mandal and Raghunath Jha who charged you with corruption, and being cornered you werecompelled to resign?  

This is not true. No one has considered their charges seriously, and I am myself ready to face an enquiry.It is because Prabhunath Singh was talking to Raghunath Jha for a compromise and his return to Samta Party,and in the mean time both were expelled , that's probably why Prabhunath Singh felt hurt. In his exasperationhe said something and I took my step. There's nothing else. Everyone is with me. All of them persuaded me totake back my decision and end this misunderstanding. Now everything is normal.

What's your reply to the letter Brahmanand Mandal and Raghunath Jha wrote to the Prime Minister aboutyour alleged corruption?

I have already replied, it is all nonsense, it has no basis. George Fernandes has himself said that thecharges are false. Still, I am ready to face any enquiry.

According to Prabhunath Singh you have agreed that it is possible for Mandal and Jha to return to SamtaParty if they accept their mistake and apologise?

What Prabhunath Singh has said is correct. I have no problems.

While rail accidents occur everyday, isn't it unfair to resign because of the infighting in your party?Can't we say that the disagreements in your party are more important for you than railway safety?

I have already said that the resignation was an emotional act and I have realised my mistake. As far asrail safety is concerned, there is a drop in the number of accidents.  I have continuously kept railwaysafety as the only top priority in my work.  If you want a proof of what I say, please talk to anyrailway official or union leader. Its because I was  working seriously towards an improved plan forrailway safety that all the officials and union leaders jointly requested me to take back my resignation.Recently, after conspiracies of sabotage were exposed in Bihar, it has been proved that to an extent theaccidents are part of some conspiracy. As far as the question of correcting our mistakes at the ministry levelis concerned, I am working in the direction.

Don't you think the disagreements in your party and the resulting trouble has only been temporarilysolved?

It is not like that. Everything is normal. There is no argument anywhere. Whatever misunderstandings werethere, have been solved. We are united.

Translated from Outlook Saptahik, July 28, 2003