Last weekend, when the BJP high command suddenly decided to replace Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma with Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, adverse reaction came from an unexpected quarter: Om Prakash Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). The irrepressible Jat leader who had extended ``unconditional support'' to the BJP-led coalition government in ``national interest'', lashed out at the ``anti-farmer'' move. An angry Chautala spoke at length to NAVNEET SHARMA on issues ranging from the choice of the leadership in Delhi to the lacklustre performance of the A B Vajpayee Government at the Centre. Excerpts:You do not appear to be satisfied with the functioning of the Vajpayee Government.It is true. I am upset with the style and functioning of the BJP Government. In the past seven months, they have failed to produce any results. The law and order situation has deteriorated in most parts of the country and prices of essential commodities have shot up. Butthey seem to have just concentrated on their attempts to protect their government. The ministers are doing just what they feel like.When they detected adulteration in mustard oil, they decided to impose a ban. Didn't they need to think about the lakhs of farmers who grow mustard? Initially, they had talked about stopping multinational companies (MNCs) but their ministers have permitted entry of foreign companies in 120 new sectors such as food products. I understand that there are constraints but that cannot be a justification for non-performance.Don't you think this will affect the performance of the BJP and its allies in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Delhi and other states?Definitely. If they keep functioning like this, it will have an adverse impact. Dekho unhone Delhi mein daud ke beech mein hi ghode badal diye (They have changed horses in the middle of a race in Delhi). It is not a wise move. Their decision to replace Sahib Singh with Sushma Swaraj has clearly shown thatthey are anti-farmers. It has exposed them. If they think they can do better after insulting a farmer, they are mistaken.What do you think will be the impact of such steps on the poll prospects of your party in Delhi and Rajasthan?Why should their non-performance affect us anywhere? We cannot be blamed because we are not a part of their government. We are just giving them support of our four MPs in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha.It is said that another reason why you are unhappy with the Vajpayee Government is that they have repeatedly ignored your complaints about the functioning of the Haryana Government.We have been seeking dismissal of the Bansi Lal Government because it has failed on all fronts. We have repeatedly informed the Union Government about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state but there has been no action so far.Par mujhe lagta hai ki yeh BJP wale Haryana mein Bansi Lal ka khel khel rahein hai (But I think these BJP leaders are playingBansi Lal's game in Haryana). Sushma Swaraj is responsible for this. She has been against us and all other kisan leaders. Last month, when we held a huge rally at Rewari to celebrate the 85th birthday of former deputy prime minister Devi Lal, she pressured Doordarshan to boycott it. Our MPs complained to the Prime Minister but there has been no action so far.Instead, she has been made the Chief Minister of Delhi in place of a kisan leader.Vajpayeeji aadmi to achche hain par mujhe nahin lagta unki apni party mein kutch khaas chalti hai (Vajpayeeji is a good man but I do not think he has much say in his party). In fact, it seems that those who are running the show do not seem to be following his wishes. If they continue like this, I do not know how long they will last.If you are so dissatisfied with the Government, what are you planning to do about it?We have been slighted and ignored. Party workers are upset about this. We cannot be taken for granted. But we are a democratic party, wehave called a meeting at Jind on October 17 to decide on the issue of continuation of support to the BJP-led coalition Government. The meeting will be attended by all members of Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, the (party) National Council, state council and heads of different cells of the party.But the issue is not the removal of Sahib Singh. It is an internal matter of the BJP. What we want them to do is to take steps to hasten construction of the SYL (Sutlej-Yamuna Link) canal and to get the Bansi Lal Government to give up its plan to privatise the power sector under pressure from the World Bank. We are also demanding dismissal of the Bansi Lal Government for its failure to check crime. We cannot let them destroy Haryana. If the BJP continues to ignore these demands, we may be forced to withdraw support.
