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The Harkishan Singh Surjeet Chat

As a guide to contemporary politics in India, the Surjeet transcript is invaluable. Preserve it!

Nikhil Lakshman: (Tue Jan 14 19:57:13 1997 IST):

Comrade Surjeet, thank you for agreeing to appear on the Rediff Chat, despite your schedule. It is wonderful to have you with us tonight and we look forward to your views on the many issues confronting India today.

Hello everyone, I am ready for your questions.

Goold evening, Mr Singh. Do you agree with your comrade Jyoti Basu that not joining the UF govt was a blunder?

Mr Nikhil Lakshman, Thank you for the programme. I am ready for all the questions.

Mr Singh: What do you think about the Congress Party's refusal to vet budget proposals?

Mr Singh, I believe your Politburo has been meeting these last two days. Was the meeting convened to discuss Mr Jyoti Basu's remarks?

Good evening, sir. How much longer do you think the 13-party coalition government will last? When will the next elections take place?

Hussain: Our party is the most democratic functioning party. The decisions are taken after thorough discussions. Unanimously or by a majority or minority. And once the decision is taken it is binding for all. Same applies for me and Mr Jyoti Basu.

Mr Surjeet, I am a student of politics at the LSE. I have read with great admiration about your efforts in keeping the United Front together. Were there many moments in these last six months when it seemed that the Front was on the verge of collapse? How have 13 parties been able to work together?

Mr Singh: What is that CPM's response to te Congress overtures to seek an allaince for Punjab assembly elections to avoid division of secular votes ?

Tareek: It can last for 5 years. It can last for 2 years. Depending on the political situation as well as performance of the government. The UF government was formed to ward off the danger of the BJP coming in to the power. And it was supported by the Congress party. That danger still remains. And so far as the Congress is concerned, its position remains the same. Therefore, there is no danger to this government but if its performance doesn't fulfill the aspiration of the people, anything can happen.

Thank you, Comrade. I don't know if I will agree with your claim that the CPI-M is a democratic institution. However, I would like to understand from you why your party-- especially the Young Turks -- were unwilling to join the Front. After all, this is perhaps the only chance your party will ever get at being in power in Delhi. So why not make the best use of it and make a difference to this country?

1. Recently there was a news in the internet that you were upset over the issue of CC rejecting the motion of joining the UF govt and allow Com. Jyoti Basu to become the PM. The same report had also mentioned that Mr.V.P. Singh had to pursue you to attend the next day CC meeting. Was it true ? How can this happen in the history of CPI(M) ?

2. From the reports on dailies, it is very clear that you are asking the UF government to follow the CMP (Common Minimum Programme). Everyday the prices of essential commodities are going up in India. There is no viable solution for the common people's suffering. Do you thing the CMP will do something to this ?

Mr Surjeet, do you believe the centrist parties and Left parties need to widen their agenda? I don't think an anti-BJP agenda will be sufficient to defeat that party at the hustings the next time.

Joshi-TOI: Do not go by statement alone. The Congress party has not taken a decision to oppose the Budget. But they have the right to make criticism. As the partners of the UF we have the right to criticise the Budget on the points with which we don't agree.

Why is it so important to keep the BJP out of power? Is it important enough for you to compromise on your principles and the support of the Congress - a party you have always fought against during the elections?

Your contribution to run this government is really admirable. Things will reach the common people only if we put an end to corruption. Will you do something to this ?

Mr Singh: During the last one year economics reform process has slowed down affecting the entire economy of the country , what is the policy of the CPM regarding liberalisation of the economy? What would commmon minimum program of the united front say on the issue?

Why are you so allergic to the Congress? After all that party too is fighting the BJP. Don't you think such allergy has outlived its utility?

In the coming Punjab by-election, speculations are that CPI is going for an alliance with Congress and not with the left parties. What makes them to take such a decision ?

There is a feeling that the support of the Left parties to the UF has come at a price -- stalling the economic reforms. Would you agree with this criticism? The reforms are in the natinal interest. Why put the brakes on them?

Mr Singh: REFFERING TO THE ANSWER YOU GAVE TO MR JOSHI HOW CAN YOU SAY THE CPM WHICH IS PARTICIPATING IN BUDGET MAKING PROCESS CRITICISE IT AFTERWARDS?

From the reports on dailies, it is very clear that you are asking the UF government to follow the CMP (Common Minimum Programme). Everyday the prices of essential commodities are going up in India. There is no viable solution for the common people's suffering. Do you thing the CMP will do something to this ?