ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

The Rediff Interview/Akbar Khondekar

'We will not be satisfied with crumbs'

The Trinamul Congress's off-now, on-now relationship with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government has become something of a joke in political circles, especially within the jealously guarded Sangh Parivar confines. The Hindutva hardliners refused to give in to Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee's pressure tactics so flatly that the prime minister had to postpone yet again the expansion of his Cabinet, which the BJP allies say is long overdue.

Apparently irked by the prime minister's inability to give her party the coveted railway portfolio, Banerjee has again become critical of the government. In this interview, Trinamul MP from Serambore Akbar Khondekar discusses his party's predicament with Tara Shankar Sahay:

From time to time your party shows its displeasure with the Vajpayee government by threatening to withdraw support. What is the latest provocation?

Since you have referred to it, let me make it clear. When our party decided to join the ruling coalition at the Centre, we were courted by the BJP to join the government. I don't mind revealing that the moon was promised to our party. But we realised that the BJP kept playing for time and refused to meet our demands, which as a coalition partner the Trinamul Congress is perfectly entitled to make. You know it is no mean achievement that our party bagged seven parliamentary seats. That was why the BJP approached us by making extremely friendly overtures. But if our party is sought to be taken lightly by the Vajpayee government, you cannot blame Mamata Banerjee for making her displeasure obvious.

On three occasions your party chief threatened to withdraw support. But each time she conveniently managed to get herself persuaded to fall in line. Don't you think this is causing credibility problems for the Trinamul Congress?

You must realise that if the Trinamul Congress has made peace, it is only after we were reassured that our demands would be met. After all, we are answerable to the people of West Bengal who sent us to Parliament. We were told by the central government that the economic package to West Bengal, as demanded by us, is being given. But it proved to be an illusion. We will not be satisfied with crumbs. If our demands are rejected, then we have to think of our future course of action.

Does it mean this time around your party is really going to withdraw support?

That is for us to decide. But all of us have made it clear to the prime minister and others that we cannot be betrayed. Akbar Khondekar says the Vajpayee government should not take his party for granted indefinitely. I say the government better watch out.

There's an allegation that Banerjee demanded Union Home Minister L K Advani's resignation, ostensibly over the recent attacks on Christians, but in truth because she is peeved at being denied the railway ministry. Comment.

[Laughs] That is ridiculous. If you know anything about West Bengal politics, you will be familiar that our party's vote base includes a sizeable chunk of minorities, including Muslims. Mamata Banerjee must be given credit for attracting and consolidating the votes of the minorities. So if the minorities are being attacked by communal forces anywhere in the country, it is our sacred duty to raise the matter and make an issue of it. If Mamata Banerjee demanded his [Advani's] resignation, it is on moral grounds and I think she should be congratulated for it.

But the charges are that the Trinamul Congress is now playing into the hands of the Opposition, which desperately wants the Vajpayee government dislodged.

The Trinamul Congress was born on the strength of its ideals and its commitment to the people. It is fiercely independent and charts its own course. What you are saying is not worth comment.

What do you say to the recent reports that your party's standing in West Bengal is dwindling?

Arre bhai (O brother), who is making this foolishness -- is it the CPI-M in West Bengal? Let me tell you, Jyoti Basu [the West Bengal chief minister] spends sleepless nights because our party is making rapid strides in the state. That is why the CPI-M's propaganda machinery keeps spreading such lies, and the media laps it up.

Your party chief will not be attending the coalition's co-ordination committee any more. Is that right?

I told you we cannot be taken for granted. If our legitimate demands are not met we will not play ball with the Vajpayee government.

The Rediff Interviews

Tell us what you think of this interview