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National

“BJP is no match for Congress”

“What Mamata has achieved, she has achieved on her own
merit”

PRANAB MUKHERJEE

Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister, acting Finance Minister, is one of the most influential Congress leaders, who has a key role in shaping the party’s political and electoral strategy. In this freewheeling interview with Marcus Dam, he sets out his views on a range of issues, including the Congress’ alliance with the Trinamool Congress, the role of the Left and the prospects of government formation.

How do you manage to handle the various responsibilities you are entrusted with?

It is true that the demands are exacting and sometimes becomes difficult to manage. But all political leaders — not just I — have to face the task of discharging their various responsibilities and managing their time.

Could the electoral pact between your party and the Trinamool Congress morph into a more permanent alliance? Is there in sight a possible merger?

So far as the merger is concerned, several times proposals were given to Mamata [Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress chief] but she did not respond positively. So far as the Congress is concerned, we have no problem in welcoming her to the party and she, along with her colleagues, will be given respectable positions. Naturally in the political process if we consider someone as our political opponent and that party considers us its political opponent such a situation (as the one in West Bengal) will be created. So far as Mamata’s popularity is concerned, there is no doubt whatever she has achieved she has achieved on her own. It is not a gift or contribution by anybody. She has emerged by her own merit as the leader of the anti-Left forces in the State: this fact cannot be ignored.

Is accepting Mamata Banerjee as an electoral partner capitulation? Has the Congress, as the smaller partner in the pact, compromised or surrendered?

We have not compromised. I have not given space to anybody; it is the electorate that is giving the space. I am simply recognizing that.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, on your pact with the Trinamool Congress, has said two plus two makes four arithmetically but politically it can also make a zero.

Sometimes it may so happen, if [those in the pact] hold diametrically opposite views. Plus two plus minus two equals zero. It also is not merely a question of arithmetic; there is chemistry involved. So I do agree with him. But, it appears that the adjustment is acceptable to the electorate. It will be proved only when the ballots will be counted on May 16. If we are able to reduce the Left’s manoeuvrability to cause mischief and limit it to some extent, to that extent we will have gained.

You have on occasions appreciated Mr Bhattacharjee’s development plans though Ms. Banerjee has been derisive. How do you reconcile such irreconcilables?

I have appreciated (Mr Bhattacharjee’s plans) several times. I do not change my view on that. We are making a seat adjustment (with the Trinamool Congress). Our industrial, economic policies are well known. One approach of ours is to facilitate the reduction in strength of the Marxists whose unpopularity in Bengal is increasing. At this juncture, as a political entity, we cannot allow them (the Marxists) to prevent that erosion. I cannot be the instrument. If they can work their way to restore their position then, fine.

At the national level, you have snubbed the proposed Third Front. Your electoral tie-up with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh is in tatters. The odds are weighed against you in Bihar and in Jharkhand, where your UP

A allies have deserted you. Are you seeking a partnership with the Trinamool Congress to help the Congress when the question of forming a new government at the Centre arises?

Of course we would like to seek their support — there is no doubt. Mamata has said so at a press conference earlier. But if the Congress is to form a government it will have to substantially depend on its own support; marginally, of course, it will come from its supporters and allies. I criticize the Third Front from the historical perspective; sometimes the Left parties dreamt it, sometimes you wanted to install it. But it always failed because of the Left’s peculiar position and mainly of the CPI (M) which likes to enjoy power without taking on the responsibility. If you always opt for backseat driving things will not work. It claims equidistance from Congress and BJP, though there is no equidistance. They (the Left) are much nearer to BJP.

BJP leader L K Advani has asserted that the polity of the country is bi-polar. Do you agree?

The weakening of the Congress over a period had vacated some space and that has been taken substantially by regional parties including the BJP. I do not consider BJP a national party though it is one technically. Numerically the BJP has increased its strength but is no match to the Congress in its national spread and approach. You can form the government if you win only one state if you get all the seats there, but does that mean you are a national party.

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