The Rediff Interview/ Tariq Anwar

'None can challenge Kesri now'

''Kesriji is unstoppable. Just wait and see.''

Whatever Congress president Sitaram Kesri's future, his confidant Tariq Anwar has been rewarded with a plum party post soon after he made the remark.

Anwar, who was Kesri's political secretary, is now the party's general secretary.

In an exclusive interview with Tara Shankar Sahay,Anwar contends that the Congress president will rise to greater heights. Excerpts:

Do you think that, despite Kesri's re-election as Congress president, he still has to reckon with contenders for his post, potential or otherwise?

Jo Kesriji se takarayega, choor choor hojayega! (Anybody challenging Kesri will be pulverised). No, I don't think anybody can challenge Kesri now. The challengers have been shown their place (laughs). The partymen have faith in Kesri. That is why he cannot be challenged.

Does this include Sonia Gandhi?

You saw in Calcutta (during the Congress plenary session) that Kesri invited Sonia to take over the party's leadership. But she indicated that her task lay in fulfilling Rajiv Gandhi's dreams. So, when I say Kesri's position remains unchallenged, I omit her name because she is happy as she is.

But you are not taking into account potential challengers like Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot?

Some party leaders thought that they could pose a challenge to our party chief but what was the result? There is little use naming such leaders. Kesri wants all Congressmen to strengthen the party to help it regain its pristine glory.

Pawar has just met Sonia Gandhi and some of your parytmen are said to be upset over it. Please comment?

Frankly, it is not worth commenting. But if Congressmen are meeting her, it is their business. But as I said earlier, she fully supports Kesri in his endeavour to revitalise the party.

What role do you envisage for yourself in the party now?

Generally speaking, I would like to ensure that the party president's programmes and policies are implemented in letter and spirit.

The Muslims still seem to be upset with your party for the Babri Masjid demolition....

Muslims have been traumatised by the reprehensible incident. But the party leadership under Kesri has expressed regret and remorse over it.

That is why Kesri is against communal forces like the BJP, and he does not want any truck with them. As a result, Muslims now realise that the Congress is much more serious about combatting communal forces.

Is it not strange that while you support the United Front at the Centre, you oppose the state governments headed by its constituents?

No, as Kesri has pointed out, we are in favour of stability at the national level. The country cannot afford to have instability at the Centre. But that does not mean that the Congress will not criticise the UF government.... We oppose state governments pursuing anti-people policies.

Can you comment on your party's relationship with the Left parties?

As far as the Congress is concerned, they are the UF constituents. We treat them accordingly.

What about reports that Kesri is waiting to topple the UF government in order to form a Congress-led government at the Centre?

(laughs) They are mere reports. However, I feel that the Congress is the only national party. I feel that the people now realise that coalition governments are not their cup of tea and that only the Congress can provide a stable government. And if the Congress gets a chance to form the government at the Centre, why not?

What is your message to Indians?

Come and join the Congress for a vibrant, economically powerful and secular India!

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