Where our party exists, people know we have our own views. Our support to this government is mainly to keep the BJP out. And on all issues we judge if they are in the interest of the people of our country or not. Only then do we take our stand.

We have always demarcated the loopholes of the wrong policies. People know the role we are playing. We are not the blind followers.

Do you believe that this government will last its entire tenure?

I have always said that I don't see why this government should not complete its full term so long as it functions within the broad parameters of the Common Minimum Programme.

Even if this price rise issue goes on further..

We will fight this government's wrong policies of price rise. We have already told them that they have failed to contain the price rise. We will continue to mobilise people.

Then people will say that you are only barking and not biting.

I am not interested in barking or biting! We are really interested in chasing out the wrong policies of the government. We want good policies to be put into place. Let the people judge.

Interview/A B Bardhan: 'Sooner or later, India would come in Left grip'

All the analysts have said that the Karnataka results are an historic event. Do you agree that the BJP has created history?

This is an instant reaction from people who don't know how Karnataka politics has developed. I remember when the BJP got 27% of votes some 20 years ago. In the last two decades the BJP made steady advances in Karnataka. In the last election they emerged as the largest single party. But, yes, I think it is a significant development. Because for the first time the BJP has been able to form the government, more or less, on its own in southern India.

Will it take them closer to New Delhi?

Don't forget that in November 2003 when they won those states people said they are walking into power. They advanced the election by six months. Sum of all the state elections does not add up to power in Delhi.

If L K Advani becomes prime minister in the next election, do you think...

We hope (laughs) we can prevent such things from happening..

How will you do it?

We are working on it. We are rallying all the parties and forces.

Don't you think the third alternative is now just a dream?

No, it is very much there. We are working on it. You will see in the next few months.

The Samjawadi Party has gone to the Congress.

I think that is very premature to say!

Image: BJP supporters at the swearing-in ceremony in Bangalore, May 30, 2008, where Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and 29 other legislators took oath as ministers. Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

Also see: How the BJP won Karnataka

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