CAFE
COM:PORT
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EVENTS

The Election Day Results Chat

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:8)

Ranga: is it true that Buta Singh and Sesha Ram Ola have pledged their support to a BJP govt?

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, BJP leader from Tamil Nadu (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:8)

Shalini: The alliance between the BJP,, AIADMK and the other partners worked extremely effectively and the people of Tamil Nadu were fed up with the bad economic situation as well as the bomb culture. This was the main background for my victory. The BJP government will last the five year term.

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:9)

Ranga: Your allies are bound to make unreasonable demands, and not in the CMP alone. How do you think you will cope with these demands? Is there not a danger that the allies make the functioning of your government untenable?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:9)

I feel Atalji is not communal by behaviour. But he becomes communal only through pressure from the RSS quarters and the hardcore leaders of the BJP who believe only in 'Hindutva'. And therefore time to time, there is contradiction in his views.

Prem (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:10)

Mr Ahmed>> Strangely, all we ever hear about is the need to fight communalism. When, do you suppose, India's polity will get down to other, admittedly trivial issues such as chronic poverty, an appalling rate of illiteracy, rampant unemployment... and such?

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, BJP leader from Tamil Nadu (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:10)

Rajen: How can anyone have an alliance with Karunanidhi who was certified by Justice Sarkaria through his report as the king of corruption and talk about corruption of others. Ultimately, it is the people collectively who defined and decide corruption. As long as the people in a democracy say it is not corrupt I don't think that it lies in the mouth of any intellectual or others to redefine corruption.

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:13)

Nikhil: It is not a question of anti-BJP. But the method which the BJP is adopting to come to power through horse-trading. And moreover, it is not the duty of the secular parties to support the BJP on the floor of the House. No one is stopping them from forming a government. Last time also they formed a government for 13 days. But that didn't last because they themselves don't have a majority and blame other parties that they do not give them a chance to form the government. And this is hypocrisy. And we have seen what they did in UP.

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, BJP leader from Tamil Nadu (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:14)

Nikhil: This is a case of a pre-poll alliance and in such cases the predominant factor would be the performance of the government as accountability would be a critical issue for the alliance. I believe that this background would ease out all the problems with regard to individuals and portfolios. The lessons of Kerala and West Bengal point toward my belief having strong roots. Please do catch on that I am emphasising on a pre-poll alliance factor.

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:15)

Mr Kumarmangalam: Forget about Karunanidhi. How can you defend your alliance with Jayalalitha of AIADMK? So, I feel you have no right to speak about corruption.

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, BJP leader from Tamil Nadu (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:15)

VEn: Rajni's intervention through television interviews has in fact lowered his image as well as being of not much help to the DMK alliance since his statements were confused and went against the thinking of the people.

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, BJP leader from Tamil Nadu (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:18)

Wasim: I am surprised at you taking a holier than thou stand. At least you and I know about all our leaders and their external and internal problems.

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:18)

Prem: I agree with you on these issues. This is the nations's need for every citizen. And I strongly believe that there should be a national consensus on these issues. But you have to stop the BJP to form the government. Because the country cannot be ruled by the hatred agenda of the BJP.

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:18)

Kamalji: Congratulations on a fantastic victory. Should the Congress form the next government or not? I believe there is a division within your party, and there are many who feel the party must sit in the Opposition this time.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:19)

Mr Ahmed: Would you say that the present-day scenario is the ideal situation for that master of managing contradictions, V P Singh, to throw his hat into the ring?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:19)

Mr Kumaramangalam: Since both of us are very good friends and we know that we are living in an era of corruption so it is better we talk about something else rather than corruption.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:20)

Mr Kamal Nath: Hello and welcome. Why did Patwa defeat you in the by-election, and why did you defeat him now? How do you explain these two verdicts?

Kamal Nath, MP and former Union Minister (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:21)

Nikhil: The election results do not give a clear mandate to any party to form a government. Although the figures do dictate a lesser-fractured mandate to the BJP and allies I would let these figures dictate the formation of a BJP-led government. The country must taste the BJP, "pudding".

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:22)

Mr Kumaramangalam: Tell us, your father's politics was diametrically opposed to what you are following today. If he were alive today, would he approve of your recent decisions? Be honest

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:22)

Mr Kumarmangalam: In fact, I am surprised that an intelligent and secular man like you joined the BJP. Also, shocking is that your family's contribution to build up the nation has suffered a setback because of your decision to join the BJP.

Kamal Nath, MP and former Union Minister (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:22)

Sai: The bye-election itself was a mistake. All I had to do was to regret the mistake and I won with the highest margin.

Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, BJP leader from Tamil Nadu (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:22)

Sai: My father was expelled from the CPI for accepting the post of advocate general under a Congress government. The CPI cursed him to high heavens till he became a minister and remembered him with nostalgia only after he passed away. Our family's involvement with politics has been with just one motto: Service to the people and the nation. And I am fully convinced that if my father were alive today he would not have blamed for leaving the Congress which has become a party of self seeking leaders who can only think of serving the haves to benefit themselves and opt for an option where service to the people is a principle.

Prem (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:23)

Mr V N Gadgil, on telly, admits that there is now a distinct possibility that the TDP could give support to the BJP front.

Kamal Nath, MP and former Union Minister (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:24)

We have the numbers. But it may not be prudent to repudiate the numbers of the BJP and its so-called allies of past Congressmen. So they could fulfill their desire to build upon a fractured and contradictory majority.

Prem (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:25)

Mr Kamal Nath -- How could you AND the BJP, BOTH, possibly "have the numbers"?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:25)

Kamal Nath: I agree that no one is stopping the BJP to form the government without horse-trading and without moral authority. But how can they differ in their manifesto with other parties and form the government? And moreover, the other 20 MPs those who will support the BJP have won their seats in the name of secularism. So, how can they join hands with the BJP?

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:25)

Mr Kamal Nath: What you are in effect saying is that there was no other issue involved in your defeat at Patwa's hand and later your own defeat of him?

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:27)

Mr Kamal Nath: Regarding your opinion that the BJP should be allowed to form the government, it is in line with what the tallest Congress leader from MP, Madhavrao Scindia, said yesterday. Are there a significant number of MPs who hold such a view, and what is their chance of prevailing on your leadership?

Prem (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:27)

Okay, guys, the Telugu Desam Party has gone on record to say that it does not want to be part of a Congress-led coalition.

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:28)

Vins: I think at present no political party wants to join hands with the BJP. And I am sure in the coming days also you will see that no secular party will support them.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:29)

Mr Ahmed: What is your reaction to the TDP's decision? Did you expect it?

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:29)

Gentlemen: The Telugu Desam Party has gone on record to say that it does not want to be part of a Congress-led coalition. Your reactions please.

Kamal Nath, MP and former Union Minister (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:33)

Thank you Rediff. I will appear on the Chat again.

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:33)

Ranga: How much money do you think will be put aside by the Congress and the BJP in persuading politicians to change sides?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:34)

The most worrying thing in the Muslim mind is the sense of insecurity if the BJP forms the government. I do not agree that Muslims are joining the BJP in large numbers. This is just a myth and it was proved in the election. It is only a microsopic majority who are joining the BJP. If they form the government now they will project a liberal view for Muslims. But the day when they get a complete majority on their own, they will show their true colours. And in the first phase of power they will place all RSS members in important governments posts and then the danger to secularism begins.

Prem (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:35)

K R Malkani, on television, on the Jayalalitha issue: Will you withdraw the cases against Jayalalitha? "No such demand has been made so far. If any such demand is made, we are unlikely to accept it".

Archana Dalmia, General Secretary, All India Mahila Congress (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:35)

Nikhil: The TDP is the party that is often changing its point of view looking at the situation. At one time when they were taking support from the Congress, then they forgot all differences.

Amberish K Diwanji (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:37)

Mr R Kumaramangalam, don't you think the BJP runs a major risk in forming a government over which it will have limited control? You may pay a heavy price the next time! Is that not why Kamal Nath wants the country to taste the BJP pudding?

Prem (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:37)

Archana Dalmiya>> A bit of "pot making fun of the kettle's complexion" there? In the campaigning in AP, the Congress was going flat out against the TDP... so why would this stand surprise you?

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:38)

Mr Ahmed: No one has the exact figures of Muslims in the BJP camp. But I am surprised that someone like you, an enlightened Muslim, is holding a candle for a party like the Congress which, in the decades of its rule, treated your community as a doormat lying outside the corridors of power. Are Muslims so blind that they cannot differentiate between friend and foe? Do you recall which party was in power in Mumbai during the riots? Why didn't it stop the riots? Do you have another explanation for it?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:40)

Nikhil: Mr Naidu is the convener of the the UF. He will take a decision only after the core committee meeting of the UF takes place.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:42)

Mr Ahmed: Mr Sharma, on the right side, has asked you to explain the voting pattern of Rampur, the constituency with the largest Muslim presence in the country, which has voted for the BJP. Will you explain that?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:43)

Krishna V: I agree all the issues are there including secularism. Also, the achievements of the MP. And moreover, the MP wins an election on the party ticket which holds local issues and also the national issues and secularism.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:44)

Ms Dalmia: Actually, the TDP's decision highlights the contradictions of the Congress-UF arrangement you are trying to create. Why should parties, for which the Congress is the main foe back home, support it in the Centre? It may help the Congress's game, but how does it help these regional parties, some of which like the TDP are facing an assembly election in a few years time?

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:46)

Ranga: How much money do you think will be put aside by the Congress and the BJP in persuading politicians to change sides?

Wasim Ahmed, General Secretary Janata Dal, MP (upper house) (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:48)

Saisuresh Saiswamy: Muslims have taught the Congress a lesson in Maharashtra in 1996. But it is only now that they have again voted for the Congress because they apologised in their manifesto, not given the ticket to P V Narasimha Rao who was responsible for the demoltion of the Babri Masjid. And that is why today the secular parties shouldn't take Muslims for granted. And if Muslims move away from secularism then the foundation of secularism collapses. And the lesson which the secular parties have got is not to preach but practice also. EVEYONE: GOODBYE, SEE YOU SOME OTHER TIME.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER(Wed Mar 4 1998 1:56)

Everyone: Hello, I am ready for your questions.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:56)

Mr Khan: Welcome to this chat.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:56)

Mr Aslam Sher Khan, welcome to Rediff. Has the BJP, thanks to the TDP, scored a last minute penalty goal?

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:57)

Aslamsaab:Asalaam walekum. Kaise rahe aap ki mizaaz? Musalmaan ne tho aap ke naye party ko ab tak gale nahin milaya. Is ki waze?

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 1:58)

Mr Khan: Mr Sharma, on the right side, had asked Mr Wasim Ahmed to explain the voting pattern of Rampur, the constituency with the largest Muslim presence in the country, which has voted for the BJP. Will you attempt it please? Also Mr Ahmed was very dismissive of the number of Muslims in the BJP camp. As someone from there, can you throw some light on this?

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER(Wed Mar 4 1998 1:58)

I joined the BJP because the secular credentials of the so-called secular forces were suspect. Basically, they were exploiting the Muslim support and not doing anything for their upliftment of their lives. And that is why I joined the BJP.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:1)

Saisuresh Swamy: The Rampur seat is proof that for the Muslims the BJP is not an untouchable party. And moreover, the Muslims who were in the BJP got a boost after people like me joined the BJP. Though I am unable to give exact percentage as to how many percentage of Muslims have voted for the BJP. But, I am sure that every sixth Muslim has voted for the BJP.

Archana Dalmia, General Secretary, All India Mahila Congress (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:3)

Lakshmi Parvathi, who is their arch-enemy, has allied with the BJP and they stopped at no end to criticise her. Now they seem also inclined to the BJP.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:3)

More DEVELOPMENTS: Following the meeting of the CPI-M politburo this morning, the party has decided that it will wait for the BJP to get first crack at forming the government. "We will wait for the BJP to fail to make the numbers," A B Bardhan told the media after the meeting. "And then we will probably make our own bid."

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:3)

Nikhil: Why do we presume that a Muslim would automatically speak Urdu? Most South Indian Muslims don't know the difference between Urdu and Latin. And, scholars of the weight of Khushwant Singh have gone to great pains to point out that Urdu is far from being a Muslim tongue.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:3)

Prem: Most probably, the TDP will join the BJP-led government. Because the trend in the South shows a phenomenal acceptability. Also, in AP, the TDP's main opponent is the Congress party and not the BJP. And in such a scenario, he has no other option than to support the BJP-led government.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:4)

THE BJP, MEANWHILE, IS IN MEETING WITH ITS ALLIES, to work out the common minimum programme. Asked whether the BJP would insist on the key elements of its manifesto, Pramod Mahajan, party general secretary, says: "If your party is in absolute majority, then your manifesto is non-negotiable. However, when you have to take the support of several groups, a certain amount of give and take becomes necessary. We are sure there will be no problems in working out a CMP acceptable to all our allies."

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER(Wed Mar 4 1998 2:5)

Archana Dalmia: Lakshmi Parvathi does not matter much to the BJP. Because she was always indecisive to join hands with the BJP.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:6)

A very happy and jazzily dressed Kamal Nath, sporting a bright red t-shirt and beige trousers shortly left the AICC office.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:7)

Nikhil Lakshman: We have just been engaged. But it will take some time for the marriage. Now, the Muslims want to see how do the BJP behave after they form the government. And, I am sure after they perform, the Muslims will join in large numbers.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:8)

Archana Dalmia has left our station for some other engagement in the AICC office. A regular visitor here at our station, she will be back later.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:11)

Rediff-Congress>> Ms Dalmiya appears to be having a lot of fun, sitting with you guys and taking potshots at whichever Opposition politico is logged on... :-)))

Rediff@BJP HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:11)

Prem: Mr Pramod Mahajan spoke to us a while ago. He does not look put down by his defeat but is more interested in putting together the few odd seats that the BJP need...

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER(Wed Mar 4 1998 2:13)

The mandate of the 1998 election is the verdict of the new generation who are below 35. Because they do not believe much in the secular ideology of the party. And also the communal agenda. The BJP, when they spoke of peace and prosperity with two square meals with dignity and self respect, people voted for the BJP. I feel in this election the mandate is only for the BJP and its allies which is close to power and not for the Congress which is nowhere near the majority.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:15)

Sharma: Yes, I am sure it will run for five years. Because Atal Bihari Vajpayee is quite acceptable to all sections of society. And, I am sure that if the BJP and allies have a common minimum programme, there will be no problem in running the government for five years.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:15)

Rediff-BJP>> Will Mahajan "grace us with his presence", as they say on wedding invites?

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:16)

Pranab Mukherjee is back in the AICC office after an informal meeting of the CWC at Sitaram Kesri's residence. Sources say the Congress is apparently coming to the conclusion that it may not able to get the magic number of 273. Therefore, the party might not stake its claim to form the government.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:16)

Mr Khan: It is said that there's none more zealous than the recent convert...

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:17)

Rediff-BJP>> Also, did Pramod say how many seats the shortfall is, at this time?

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:18)

Rediff-Congress>> When does the party plan to name its leader in Parliament?

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:19)

About Ram Mandir, I feel that it should be settled by the court. And the BJP also is saying that this matter should be solved with a dialogue among all the communities. It is not a question of 'Babri' but a question of 'Barabari'. Muslims must educate themselves and compete rather than being left emotionally exploited. So, I say it is "Barabari' rather than 'Babri' which is not an issue for the livelihood of the Muslims.

Rediff@BJP HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:19)

He said: "We have not approached anyone. But we have been reading in the papers that the TDP is not interested in allying with the Congress. We are hoping this is true and would be grateful if they are willing to ally with us..."

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER(Wed Mar 4 1998 2:20)

Also, one should notice that the BJP has not mentioned in its election manifesto about the disputed site at Kashi and Mathura.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:20)

The Congress's effort to get the support of the United Front partners is proving not to be successful. Two divergent ideas have emerged in the Congress. The old guard of the party led by Kesri wants somehow to form the government with the help of the UF partners. But the young leaders like Madhavarao Scindia, Kamal Nath, Ahmed Patel feel that the mandate is not for the Congress to form the government.

Rediff@BJP HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:20)

Prem: He said they need about 10 more seats...

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:21)

Prem: The party in all likelihood will name the CPP leader by the weekend. Probably on Friday or Saturday.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:22)

Rediff-BJP>> That is interesting, the BJP is actually 21 short, so if Pramod says 10 more seats, it probably means they have already made sure of Naidu's 12. Or is there some other equation I am missing?

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:22)

Rediff@Congress: What is the viewpoint on the Sonia effect? Is there any anger that she has not delivered them the required votes?

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER(Wed Mar 4 1998 2:23)

Sharma: I wanted to join the BJP on 15th August 1997. It was significant because Hindu and Muslims were separated in 1947 because of Partition. And I wanted to bridge that by joining the BJP on the 50th anniversary of Independence. But I joined on December 24 because of the communication gap among the BJP leaders and myself.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:23)

Rediff-Congress> Hey, you guys think the delay and constant confabs among themselves, and with the lady of 10 Janpath, indicates that there is a faction struggle happening within the party? That the naming of the leader is not exactly going smooth?

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:26)

Sai: "Naya Mulla Pyaaz Zyada Khata Hai" is the saying and I have heard that lot of neo-converts are more fundamentalist. But I have never come across any one.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:28)

Pradeep: Because the MPs who have been elected this time. I am sure they will think to stay for five years in Parliament. Because in the 11th Lok Sabha, I met a lot of MPs who did not wanted an election. If you recall, the first time MPs had formed their own group and met the President stating that they did not wanted an election. But they had to follow the guidelines of their party.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:28)

Prem: It cannot yet be said that there is a faction struggle within the Congress. But sooner than later a power struggle is expected in the Congress in the wake of the spectacular performance of Sharad Pawar. Sonia has not yet expressed her decision as to who should be elected the CPP leader.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:29)

Mr Khan: I had asked Mr Wasim Ahmed an explanation for the growth of Muslim terrorism in the south, but he ducked it. Can you talk about the reasons behind it?

Rediff@BJP HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:30)

As I said earlier, Mahajan has not said anything about the TDP except that they are hoping that the TDP will align with them. Other leaders say that even if the TDP does not align with them, they are not really worried because it will go totally against the TDP if they align with the Congress since the TDP is a regional party and the Congress is their main opposition in the state.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:31)

Rediff@Congress: Normally, Pawar's style has been that he gets his acolytes to root for him. Is that happening there? Are his men from back home around?

Rediff@BJP HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:31)

The BJP will be happy even if the TDP remains neutral. Their real problem starts if the TDP goes the Congress way...

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:31)

Basically, I feel that a lot of debate is needed on the Uniform Civil Code before taking a decision. And it is too early for me to comment on it.

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:32)

Rediff Congress>> Sai asked this before, I guess you guys missed it -- what is the reaction in the party to Sonia's own failure to delivery the votes and the seats?

Rediff@BJP HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:33)

The BJP already has Chautala's unconditional support -- that's 4 MPs -- then there around four to six MPs who have pledged their support to the BJP...

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:35)

Saisuresh Swamy: The growing fundamentalism of the Muslims in South India is disturbing. Because history shows that the Muslims in India are peaceful and culturally close to their Hindu brothers. I think it is the foreign agencies which is playing a dirty game in destabilising Southern India which has always been peaceful.

ASLAM SHER KHAN, FORMER CONGRESS MINISTER AND NOW BJP LEADER (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:35)

EVERYONE: Goodbye. I had a nice experience chatting with you. See you some other time.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:38)

The leaders who have come here have said that keeping in mind the weak organisational structure of the Congress, it is only due to Sonia Gandhi that the party has reached the 166 figure so far. Without her, party leaders and others at the AICC were expecting around 100 seats. So, the Congress hardly thinks that Sonia Gandhi has been unsuccessful. At the same time they say that the party cannot expect miracles from Mrs Gandhi.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:57)

Pranab Mukherjee has just now said that the Congress will not stake its claim to form the government unless the party is ensured of adequate support from the United Front.

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:58)

"We have no problem if the BJP forms the government," Mukherjee told journalists at the AICC office adding that the party is not scared of sitting in the Opposition.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:59)

Good afternoon Mr Malkani, are we talking to a future minister in the Vajpayee cabinet?

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 2:59)

Good afternoon Mr Malkani, welcome to the Rediff Chat. What is the situation now that the TDP has turned down the Congress? Does it mean Chandrababu Naidu is supporting the BJP bid?

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 3:0)

Kewalji: Namashkar. I have been watching your charming performances on television. You seem to be smiling a lot. Is there reason for your good humour? Something we don't know? Does the TDP's decision to stay out of the Cong-led govt mean that the BJP is through?

Rediff team @ Congress HQ (Wed Mar 4 1998 3:0)

Pranab said the numbers are not now with the Congress. However, he said the Congress is talking to the United Front. The CWC will officially meet on Thursday to take a decision on the government formation.

Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Mar 4 1998 3:1)

Kewalji: You have been one of the oldest opponents of the Nehru family. Last year, in a chat with my dear colleague Syed Firdaus Ashraf, you revealed some unknown facets of our first family. Do you think the Dynasty is finished as a player in Indian politics?

Prem Panicker (Wed Mar 4 1998 3:1)

Rediff-Congress>> "Not now with the Congress" -- does the phrasing indicate acceptance that the TDP has slipped out of their grasp?

K R Malkani, BJP vice-president (Wed Mar 4 1998 3:2)

The current political situation is that no party or alliance has an absolute majority, but the BJP and its allies are way ahead of the Congress and its allies and the so-called UF. Talks are going on with some more parties and there is no doubt that in the next two, three, four days the BJP and its allies will have enough support to form a stable government.

Saisuresh Sivaswamy (Wed Mar 4 1998 3:2)

Rediff@Congress: Isn't the mandate more for non-election than pro or against the BJP?

K R Malkani, BJP vice-president(Wed Mar 4 1998 3:5)

Nikhil: I think the role of the family is over. Even Rajiv was a very temporary phenomenon and his children have no political background or political understanding. People went to Sonia's meetings to have a look at this white woman out of sheer curiosity and not as an expression of support to the Congress. Apart from the three states of Assam, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, the Congress has done very badly all over the country, even though Sonia addressed hundreds of meetings. It was aploy that failed.