VP roots for Sonia, says foreign origin no issue

Rooting for Sonia, Singh said: ‘‘Citizenship is the highest post in this country and prime ministership is derived from that. Not the other way around.’’

Giving instances of Fiji and Surinam, Singh asked if the BJP will also propagate the same theory there that persons of foreign origin should not hold offices. ‘‘Their theory is that anyone born abroad cannot be trusted. That should be a debate for whether or not to give citizenship. Once citizenship has been granted, there cannot be a question on whether the citizen is reliable or not,’’ he said.

Singh came out in defence of the Gandhi siblings too. ‘‘It is being said that Priyanka and Rahul should also be considered foreigners because of their mother. I would like to know then what happens to the children of Nepali women?’’

‘‘I am told that Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s mother is from Nepal,’’ he added. Singh said Sonia’s ‘‘past was Italian, but her present and future are in India. That is what Rahul and Priyanka represent’’.

Explaining this sudden softening of stand on the Congress, Singh said: ‘‘The Congress and I have fought for long years and to our hearts’ content. But after Gujarat, the BJP’s Fascist face has been exposed and there is a need to stop them.’’

In a candid confession, Singh also admitted that ‘‘after the Gujarat riots, I regret taking the BJP’s support (while forming the government in 1989). I could not recognise them then’’.

‘‘Their Vision Document says they would agree to court verdict on Ayodhya dispute. But in reality, my government was pulled down saying, ‘it was a matter of faith’,’’ he said.

On the chances of forming a secular alternative to the NDA, Singh said: ‘‘If you look closely, you would find that there is a broad agreement that there should be a secular alternative.’’

Singh added his ‘‘first choice’’ is still the Left and the JD (S). ‘‘But at places, where they are not present, Congress should be voted. I shall vote for the Congress and support them,’’ he said.