Sonia’s new face comes to the fore

How long do you think the BJP-led government will last?
That is difficult to say.

The full term of five years?
I cannot say.

Will you be contesting for the Lok Sabha now that you have become the CPP chairperson?
I don’tknow.

Alternatively, are you contemplating a term in the Rajya Sabha?
Not in the near future.

What transpired in your meeting with President K R Narayanan?
I told him that the position remained the same as was conveyed by Sitaram Kesriji. The Congress didn’t have the numbers to stake a claim but some of our leaders were in touch with the United Front leaders. I told him that we would get back to him on March 17th. But he then told me that he was informed by Dr Jayalalitha that she was supporting a BJP-led government. In that situation, he has no option but to invite the BJP.

You have referred to a restructuring of the party set-up. What did you mean by that?
Well…I think we will be seeing a lot of new faces.

You have said the Congress will be a responsible Opposition party. What exactly do you mean by that?
When I say responsible Opposition, I mean that we will not oppose any programme (of the government) which we consider is in the interest of the country andthe people. But we will bitterly oppose any programme which we feel is not in interest of the country and its people.