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Journalism of Courage
In his farewell speech in Parliament, Haradanahalli Dodde Gowda Deve Gowda had said he would rise from the ashes. The former prime minister is living up to his words. He is back, giving sleepless nights to several United Front leaders. Last week, DMK leader M. Karunanidhi said some leaders — read Deve Gowda and Harkishen Singh Surjeet — were using the UF to “settle their personal scores”. Gowda spoke to Neerja Chowdhury at length about the political situation and his future plans. Excerpts:
It is said that you want elections now and that you had wanted to go to the polls when Sitaram Kesri withdrew support to your government?
What I have said is that we should be mentally prepared for elections. For nobody knows what will happen when. The decision depends on the Congress. We don’t want an election but if it is thrust on us, as a political party we cannot run away from the field.
Karunanidhi has made allegations against you and Surjeet?
It’s all the imagination of the media, and your interpretation. There’s no such idea in the DMK’s mind. I have seen what they (DMK leaders) said. They only wanted to strengthen the unity of the UF (by the inclusion of the Rashtriya Janata Dal). We explained why it should not be done.Are you happy with yesterday’s UF meeting?
We collectively took a decision (to keep the RJD out). It’s not a question of individual happiness. Everyone tried to rise above their small areas of differences. I must express my sincere thanks to all.It is alleged that former CBI director Joginder Singh was acting at your behest when he got his office opened on a Sunday afternoon to chargesheet Laloo Prasad Yadav?
For the last four months Joginder Singh has not met me, except at a marriage.
Was there a move to remove him just before your government went out of office?
I don’t want to answer that now… There was no such order…
Was there a thinking that he should be removed?
There is thinking in the adminsitrative set-up about a hundred-and-one things. It did not mean that I had taken the decision to remove him.
What was your view about him as the CBI chief?
It’s for people to decide. I must say he is an honest officer. His relations with the media made him controversial.
It is said that the CBI was used as a tool to blackmail politicians during your reign…
All these CBI cases were either started during the Congress period or at the direction of the courts. That my government was blackmailing is an imaginary allegation. There is not an iota of truth in it.
It is also alleged that Joginder Singh was removed under pressure from Kesri and it is the Congress leader who was responsible for the appointment of R.C. Sharma?
You should ask the Prime Minister. It is an adminsitrative matter. It is not proper for me to answer this.
What is your view about the performance of the Gujral Government?
Even with all this political confusion, the Government is doing well in all aspects. That is my sincere opinion. I am paying a compliment to the Prime Minister. He is more mature and senior in age (than me), and he has experience on his side. He is handling the affairs of the country to the best of his ability.
Gujral has called for Laloo’s resignation but he is not able to do anything to enforce what he wants…
When everyone does not want to use Article 356, why do you blame the Prime Minsiter? He is to be guided by the opinion of chief ministers at the Inter-State Council. There is no need to find fault with the Prime Minister.
You met him last weekend. What did you talk about?
We discussed the developmental activity going on in the country.Is the JD likely to split in Karnataka, and do you perceive a threat to the J.H. Patel government?
The government is going to become strong.
But Patel has switched sides?
He is with the party, and has shown absolute loyalty to the party.
What is the line-up you see in the next elections?
The United Front will fight the elections together.
Will you go with the Congress?
We’ll fight both the BJP and the Congress. There is no question of an alignment with either of them.
But you are surviving today on the basis of support from the Congress?
This support is given by them on their own.
There has been a controversy over your continuation as the chairman of the United Front…
After I resigned, all of them requested me to continue. These controversies exist more in the media.
What do you think of the Gujral doctrine?
I don’t want to create a controversy on these issues. Whatever the Prime Minister has said, it is my duty to stand by it.
What are your future plans?
It is may primary responsibility to strengthen the UF and my party.
As PM, you did not hesitate to call on people, what was your problem with Kesri?
I called on Kesri 12 times in five months. I had no problem with Kesri. I congratulated him after I stepped down.
How long do you think the UF government will last?
I am not a person who can predict. What is going to happen depends on the major parties supporting the Government. Kesri sahib has made it clear that he won’t withdraw support till August 1998. The Government can function without any hindrance till then.
