Teekhi Baat: Prabhu Chawla with Mulayam Yadav

“We will continue to support the Congress-led government at the Centre,” Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav tells The New Indian Express Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla in Teekhi Baat on IBN7. Excerpts:

Q: You continue to support the Congress.

A: That’s because we wish to keep communal forces at bay.

Q: But your withdrawal of support will not result in a BJP Government.

A: The Congress is not treating us well. But our politics is based on principles and we will not give that up.

Q: The BJP has only 114 MPs. How can it form a government?

A: There are parties that could support them. I don’t want to take names unnecessarily at this stage.

Q: So you don’t want to topple the Congress-led Government?

A: There are only two years left before the next general elections, so why topple? We will not withdraw support.

Q: Will you take their help in forming a government in Uttar Pradesh?

A: We are confident the people will vote us in with a clear majority.

Q: And if you lose this time will it be your defeat or Akhilesh’s?

A: We will win. If we lose the defeat will be the party’s.

Q: Are you ready for the elections? And who is fighting his time, you or your son?

A: We are ready. As far as who is fighting, it is not me or my son, but the Samajwadi Party that is fighting.

Q: Sometimes it seems you want to rest and let your son carry the banner...

A: I am healthy and strong; I don’t need rest. I have not given up on politics.

Q: People say your decision to project your son Akhilesh was prompted by Rahul’s entry into politics, so that the sons carry the political enmity forward.

A: That is not what I feel. Entering politics was my son’s desire and I didn’t stop him. He has been elected to the Lok Sabha three times, and it is a matter of pride that he represents the constituency which once sent Ram Manohar Lohia to Parliament.

Q: Do you think the Uttar Pradesh elections are being fought on issues or is it just a contest of personalities?

A: There are several issues, a clean government being the first. Then, all sections of society must be part of the development process.

Q: But what government can be cleaner than Mayawati’s? Look at how she is dropping tainted ministers.

A: That is exactly how the people have come to know that corruption is entrenched in higher places. Sacking ministers is a Mayawati charade.

Q: Did you ever sack any ministers for corruption?

A: None were ever accused, and if any had been, I would have sacked them instantly. With elections around the corner, Mayawati is trying to show how clean her government is. She is the root of corruption in the state. Those that have been punished are the ones who were sharing the loot with her.

Look at Kushwaha; he was practically staying at Mayawati’s house, her most trusted. They must have fallen out over dividing the spoils.

Q: But Kushwaha has been taken by the BJP.

A: The BJP has become weak; the party is grabbing at straws and whatever else comes its way.

Q: The BSP says you can’t tolerate a Dalit woman as Chief Minister.

A: So should I drop out of the elections, or wind up the SP? I am no saint; I have my own brand of politics. Indira Gandhi was a woman. She unleashed an Emergency on the country.

Q: But it appears that only communalism and sectarianism is alive in Uttar Pradesh.

A: The SP doesn’t subscribe to communalism or corruption. We are a clean party and we don’t believe in the politics of caste.

Q: Mayawati has brought development. Look at all the beautiful parks.

A: No roads have been made. The SP government made roads that have lasted till now; the BSP regime has made no new roads, and whatever they have made doesn’t last for even six months.

Q: If your government was so good, why have people like Ajit Singh left you?

A: That is the politics of jealousy. Don’t ask me about Ajit Singh; I do not wish to comment on him or his waywardness.

Q: If Ajit Singh is known to be wayward, why did you take him on your side?

A: We had a majority then so it was more his desire than our need. Besides, he is the son of Chaudhary Charan Singh who we respected as a great leader. So I said we will respect Ajit Singh’s wishes and honour him.

Q: But he betrayed you.

A: You can call it whatever you like.

Q: Was it a desire to reap his western Uttar Pradesh votebase? Or should it be said that you depended on him, but he didn’t need you?

A: We do not depend on him. He is the son of our leader so I will say no more because if I start speaking there will be lots to say.

Q: Then there’s Rashid Masood who has left you for the Congress.

A: Whenever he gets a Rajya Sabha seat he defects; this is the second time. This is betrayal.

Q: Do you fancy victory in the Assembly elections?

A: Certainly. The Samajwadi Party will get a majority.

Q: But you haven’t even projected a chief ministerial candidate? Will it be you or Akhilesh?

A: The party knows, our workers know; the rest will be up to the legislators.

Q: This time you have no film stars or big businessmen on your side. Was it a mistake you are correcting now?

A: The real stars are still with the SP. Amitabh Bachchan is no longer in politics. It is difficult to find people like him. I know him closely and do not wish to drag him into politics.

Q: You must also be missing Amar Singh, your Arjun.

A: Well, he’s gone. He was a great help and used to organise funding, but now the people will help us. I will tell the people I have no money now. I have faith in the people.

Q: The SP was called a party of capitalists and now it is being said that it has really turned socialist.

A: That’s not true. Amar Singh was no capitalist; he was a small-time businessman.

Q: Is reservation an issue?

A: We Samajwadis don’t believe in caste and clan.

Q: You have asked for Muslim reservation.

A: There should be 18 per cent reservation for Muslims, instead of 15 per cent.

Q: Will it be in the SP’s manifesto?

A: Yes, if SP wins we’ll give 18 per cent quota to Muslims.

Q: Will you follow Sachar recommendations?

A: I’m not worried if the recommendation is 10 or 15 per cent. What’s true is they have done hard work, and found out how backward Muslims are. Sachar even suggested Muslims have become more backward than Dalits.

Q: But 18 per cent will increase UP’s quotas beyond the Constitution-mandated 50 per cent.

A: That’s an excuse; the Constitution can be amended.