The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : Q & A : Shanta Kumar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 30, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Q & A : Shanta Kumar

'We have created a hunger-free India'

Once at the centrestage of BJP politics, the former Union Minister, Shanta Kumar, still hopes to stage an effective comeback. Confident of winning from the Kangra parliamentary constituency in Himachal Pradesh, he is looking for a new role in another NDA Government at the Centre. Excerpts from his interview to Kanwar Yogendra:

Senior party leaders say the BJP is diluting its ideology. Do you agree?

One should not forget that the days of single party rule are over. We realised it earlier but the Congress accepted it only during its "Shimla Conclave." Our pure ideology will benefit this country; we are making a few compromises with the ideology for the country's bigger good.

Will it not affect the party's hardcore cadres who came from the RSS? Will they agree to the BJP's new mass base formation?

Yes, the party has become a mass base formation from a cadre-based party. But Hindutva was never hardcore. Also, Hinduism is not just a religion. It is like a massive ocean that can absorb varied ideas. Look where George Fernandes is and where the SJP is. All have come together for the advance of this country.

Once at the centre of BJP politics, you are now reduced to just one constituency of a politically insignificant State. How do you feel?

I believe in the Bhagwad Gita and Swami Vivekanand is my ideal. Whatever roles and responsibilities were given to me by the party I did them honestly. I never compromised on my principles. I resigned from the Union Ministry on my own. I was not forced by the Prime Minister.

You were one of the BJP's ideologues. Did you have any role in preparing the party's vision document?

I took part in the discussions when the idea took shape at the headquarters. The document has been made on the basis of that discussion.

What will be the scenario if the BJP ever gets a complete majority?

Even if we get a majority, we would like to keep the NDA intact. "Raj Dharma (statecraft) is separate from Vyaktigat Dharma (personal operations). There should be Sarva Dharam Sambhav. We were in power for 5 years at the Centre and thrice in Himachal; nothing unusual has happened.

Will the minorities be safe?

They were always safe. We don't believe in minority or majority.

The "feel-good" factor projected by the BJP is wearing thin...

No, it is there even today. Ask the 10 crore poor who are getting foodgrains at Rs. 2 and Rs. 3 a kg. Question the sick who now have roads to go to hospitals. Inflation has been kept under check in the last few years. Sixty per cent of the budget has been spent on the rural poor. We have fulfilled the dream of a hunger-free India. In Himachal, all development works were done with money from the Centre. Now the Virbhadra Singh Government does not have money to pay the salaries and pensions of its employees. There has been chaos in the past 13 months of Congress rule.

You were known for taking tough decisions like "no work, no pay" for State Government employees. And your Government could not complete its full term twice when you were the Chief Minister. If given a chance will you be a changed man now?

I will never compromise on my principles. Work culture is very important. The 9th Five Year Plan could not give good results because of the lack of work culture and corruption. These are the two vital issues eating into the progress of country. Look at the Telgi scam. Even Chengiz Khan and Mohammed of Ghori did not plunder India to that scale.

How do you see a poor State like Himachal Pradesh developing in the future?

Himachal is a rich State inhabited by poor people. The focus should be on three things: hydroelectricity, tourism and fruit-based industry. With a potential of 21,000 MW we can become the richest State. About Rs. 100 crores has been spent by the Centre for improving aviation facilities in the State. A religious tourist circuit should be developed in the State.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National