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The Rediff Interview/Chandra Shekhar

'The BJP should change its leader in case they want to make another bid'

One meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi seems to have changed former prime minister Chandra Shekhar's opinion of her. Shekhar, who was critical of Gandhi until he called on her at 10 Janpath this morning, now says, "The lady knows what she is talking about."

In an exclusive interview with Onkar Singh, Shekhar admitted that the numbers are stacked against Gandhi. But if the Bharatiya Janata Party is to make another bid for power, it should follow precedent and change its leader, he said. An excerpt:

What is your assessment of the present political crisis?

The situation is still very confusing. I don't think anything clear is emerging. There are many parties that have not taken a favourable stand as far as formation of the government by the Congress party is concerned. So I cannot say what shape it may take tomorrow.

Don't you think that if the present state continues, the country is heading for anarchy?

I am not that pessimistic. The present situation is not going to lead to anarchy. But we are slowly drifting towards it; that apprehension is there. If we don't arrest the present trend, it may lead us to anarchy. And that would be a sad day for India.

You are one of the country's elder statesmen. What solution would you suggest for the present stalemate?

There are two reasons for the present crisis. One is that people sitting in important positions are indecisive. Indecision is the greatest problem for this country. Since we don't take quick decisions, problems become more complicated.

The other is that we are unable to use one another's good points. Instead we keep harping on the negatives. This kind of attitude is not helpful in running a parliamentary democracy. We should try to take advantage of everybody's positive points. This tendency is fast evaporating in our political life. They should understand that there is no way out except united, cohesive action to avert the present crisis.

Do you think a coalition government by the Congress is a way out?

I don't know. To answer your question, I have to first know what the Congress wants to do. It is for the party to decide what kind of action it is going to take once it fails to form a minority government. Throwing up one name is not enough.

You have met Sonia Gandhi. How was the meeting? What was your impression?

The meeting took place at her residence. It was good, cordial. The meeting had nothing to with the present political crisis. It was more in the nature of understanding each other. I thought it would be proper for me to go to her rather then she coming to see me. I told her that I do not agree with the position taken by the Congress party on many issues. This is not a development of today. I have been consistent in my views on some of the issues dealt with by the party.

Since I could not have said critical things if she came to my residence, I thought it proper to go to her place. I was surprised to know that she had a clear vision of what she wanted to say. She has a definite vision and she is moving in that direction.

You have been somewhat critical of the President's role in the present crisis, particularly for asking Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to seek a vote of confidence even before the Budget was passed.

In my opinion there was no need for the President to do this, because, in a Budget session, Opposition parties get ample opportunities to oust the government on any cut motion. I am of the opinion that it was essential for the Budget to be passed first. The confidence vote could have followed. The heavens would not have fallen if the confidence vote had taken three more days.

Do you agree that political blackmailing is going on now?

I don't know. Neither does anyone have the guts to blackmail me nor do I blackmail anyone else. So you should direct his question at those who indulge in such activities.

If the Congress loses the numbers game, can Vajpayee's government be reinstated?

There is a precedent that the person who loses a confidence vote is not made prime minister again. There is nothing written, but the BJP should change its leader in case they want to make another bid. Nothing can be said, however. Let us see what the President has to say.

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