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Vajpayee wasn't keen on second chance as PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said he would have declined a second chance to form the government.

''What purpose would it have served? Only a temporary relief for a few more months. You cannot provide good governance in such a situation'', the prime minister said when asked by India Today whether it was a failure of the party's managers to get just that extra vote during the confidence motion to save his government.

He said he did not stake claim a second time because the requisite numbers were not there.

''We tried our best to carry others with us. But there were few who could be approached. One thing you must concede is that only 19 members left us but we lost by only one vote. Those who were with us, remained with us during the vote and after the vote. Those who voted with the Congress parted company later''.

On whether he felt that the President had not been as accommodating with his government as he had been with his predecessors, Vajpayee said Narayanan definitely wanted to be an active President and his role during the current crisis had made that amply clear.

Vajpayee said he had not thought that the voting would go against his government.

''I don't think anybody did. The BSP had declared on the floor of the House that it would abstain. And we don't normally have chief ministers attending Parliament and voting''.

The prime minister said if his government had conceded to AIADMK leader Jayalalitha's demands, she would not have broken away. He said sacrificing Defence Minister George Fernandes would have amounted to punishing him for something he is not guilty of.

The prime minister was of the view that the BJP could have done much more, particularly in dealing with the allies. The party did not try to learn the lessons of coalition politics, he added.

Asked if that was the reason the parties were supporting him and not the BJP, he said, ''It is not like that. But I must confess this election is not going to be easy. It is going to be a dirty election. I hope I will be able to prevent this trend''.

On his resolve of not contesting another election, Vajpayee said he was now being reminded that he had not completed a five-year term.

''I have to be a member of the house for the remaining four years. So here I am, back in the field''.

The prime minister said the party was thinking of a national alliance and joint campaigning for the coming elections. The details were yet to be worked out. Ideally, the alliance should contest the election on a joint platform on the basis of the national agenda for governance.

Asked if the BJP would drop issues like Article 370, common civil code and Ayodhya from a common manifesto, he said, ''They were not even there on our national agenda for governance. And they will not be included in the manifesto or common minimum programme''.

To a question, Vajpayee said L K Advani had proved himself to be an able organiser and was an asset both in government and outside.

On CTBT and other international treaties which are to be signed in the near future, the prime minister said his government will try to call an all-party meeting and come to an agreement. ''But I don't have much hopes since we are in the midst of a do-or-die election''.

Regarding his slogan for the next elections, Vajpayee said Videshi vs Swadeshi was being discussed at every platform.

''Suggestions have been made to amend the Constitution to debar those not born in India from holding offices of the President, vice president, prime minister and even the chief justice of India. But my fear is such a debate will not be healthy''.

''The prime minister's office is not something one enjoys'', Vajpayee said when asked about his tenure in office.

UNI

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