‘Our Bihar strategy is simple. Get RJD, LJP together to fight BJP, JD-U’

• Why is the UPA government so keen to talk to a terrorist organisation like ULFA, especially when its leaders have made it clear that that they want to talk nothing less than sovereignty? It’s shameful that the Congress is using a terrorist organisation for narrow political gains.
Pranav Sachdeva, Delhi

In a democracy, issues are settled only through discussions and talks. It has been made amply clear that all discussions can only be held within the parameters of the Constitution.

• The Congress party is said to be responsible for the Bangladeshi migrants issue becoming a major concern. In this context, what strategy do you plan to adopt following the SC order on the IMDT Act?
V P Damodar, Pune

Illegal migration is a worldwide phenomenon and is not only confined to Bangladeshis in India. The issue of migration is closely linked with livelihood, whether it is Bangladeshis in India or Mexicans in USA or Indians in the United States, UK or Europe. The Congress party is concerned about illegal migrants but would not like to see harassment of genuine Indian citizens. The IMDT Act was not for the protection of illegal migrants but to ensure non-harassment of genuine Indian citizens.

• Considering that both Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party and Laloo Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal are showing no signs of coming together, what will be the Congress strategy in the coming Bihar elections?
Bal Govind, Bareilly

Our strategy in Bihar is simple. We would like consolidation of all secular forces to combat the communal and feudal forces which is represented by the BJP and the JD-U. To achieve that we have to impress upon the RJD and LJP to fight the next election together.

• The Bihar polls threw up no clear winner last time. How different do you think the next results will be? How do you fancy the Congress’ chances? In the event of a hung House once again, what are your party’s plans?
Ajit Rana, Lucknow

I hope that the new polls in Bihar will give a clear verdict so that we do not have a hung House.

• Why isn’t the Congress-led UPA government taking any bold steps to cleanse our political system of corruption? For a start, why don’t you get rid of your ‘‘tainted’’ ministers?
Subhash C Agrawal, Delhi

The basic principle of jurisprudence is that a person is innocent till proved guilty. This is the stand former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee took on the floor of the House regarding the so-called tainted Ministers. In my view, any person who is fit to contest the election under the present election laws is eligible to hold any political office in the country.

When we talk of cleaning the system of corruption let us not confine this only to politics. We should also bring into the ambit the other pillars of the government, whether it is political, executive, bureaucracy or judiciary, and for that we have to bring about a consensus among all political parties. To start with, we can enforce on all people connected with government to make their moveable and immovable property, public on internet so that people are aware of the increase in assets of people in government.

To strengthen my point, I would like to give the example of Al Capone in Chicago who could not be convicted for all his criminal activities but was convicted on evasion of income tax. The question is can we do it.