The Rediff Interview/Krishan Lal Sharma

'There is give and take in politics. It is not unusual'

The unthinkable has happened in Uttar Pradesh.

After wooing rebels legislators from the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Janata Dal, Chief Minister Kalyan Singh accommodated all them in his 93-member jumbo ministry.

Thus, the much-touted claims that the BJP is a principled and disciplined party have taken a beating, forcing most party leaders to keep a low profile. And party vice-president Krishan Lal Sharma seemed ill at ease defending the Kalyan Singh government's action in this exclusive interview with Tara Shankar Sahay. Excerpts:

The myth that your party is principled and disciplined stands blown. Does it not?

No, I don't think so. Why should it be so?

The whole country is appalled that legislators, who have made a mockery of political ethics by defecting, have been made ministers in the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Are you defending the indefensible?

The legislators concerned voted in the BJP's favour in the state assembly and as a result our government proved its majority.

And you think that is sufficient justification for making them ministers?

Look, there is give and take in politics. It is not unusual.

The Kalyan Singh government has inducted hardcore criminals from among the defectors as ministers, proving that your party wanted to retain the government in UP by hook or by crook. Is it not?

No, that is not true.

So what is your reply to the question.

It has been answered by our leader.

People like Hari Shankar Tewary and Raja Bhaiyya, made ministers by your chief minister, are alleged criminals, hated and feared by the people.

Main kucch nahin kahoonga (I will not say anything).

Today, the irony is that the police officers who were chasing criminals like Hari Shankar Tewary and Raja Bhaiyya are forced to give them security. All because of your government in UP. Do you think the people will forgive your party?

Politics can be strange.

Your party was recently talking of the violation of the Constitution when President's rule was sought to be imposed in UP. Why does it not talk of the mockery of the Constitution when your government has inducted hardcore criminals as ministers?

Truth can be stranger than fiction.

That is your only explanation?

Yes.

Is your party now engineering defections in Gujarat to grab power?

You cannot predict the next move in politics.

Tell me frankly, has not your party lost considerable political ground because of the UP developments?

No, I don't think so.

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