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N D Sharma
After tense days and sleepless nights, the architect of the Congress victory in Madhya Pradesh has just begun his second term. As Digvijay Singh takes guard again in Bhopal, the other regional satraps from the state wait for him to trip and fall. The chief minister, however, exudes confidence as he speaks to N.D. Sharma. Excerpts:
What is the difference between December 7, 1993 (when you first became the Chief Minister) and December 1, 1998 (when you took oath for the second term)?
Well, I was five years younger. I was short of experience. I did not have confidence that I will be able to run the state. Now, I am five years older. I've run the state for five years. I have seen the ups and downs in the last five years. I know the state better. I know the nitty-gritties of the administration more than in 1993. I made mistakes (then).
What was your most glaring mistake which you don't want to repeat in your second term?
My administration was lax.
By nature or bychoice?
By nature.
Then how do you want to change your nature now?
I have to become a little more tough. Earlier the transfers and postings were available at the whims and fancies of our....I think we'll have to curb it now and make it (administration) more result-oriented.
In your first press conference after you became chief minister in 1993, you promised to frame a comprehensive transfer policy which for minimum dislocation of the employees. Why couldn't you do that?
We did. But, initially there was a lot of pressure. I think this pressure will not work now.
How can you be so sure?
Simply by experience.
It is said that whatever has to be done you will try to do it yourself instead of delegating power.
As a chief minister, I delegated powers. I think I am the one chief minister who delegates most powers.
How's then that the people continue to come back to you?
That is out of habit. This I would like to discourage. Even as PCC president my whole teamwas working. It was a team work.
In the Government also, you issued instructions and these were not obeyed.
Issued instructions means what? You see, the journalists in Bhopal have in mind only two-three things. One, house allotment; two, transfers; and three, advertisements. These are the three things which come most to me.
There had been allegations of rampant corruption during your five-year rule. It was said that not only your ministers but your party MLAs were also making money.
Even journalists were making money.
But you were directly responsible for what your ministers and MLAs were doing. Why couldn't you stop them?
I was responsible for whatever was happening in the state. Corruption is such a phenomenon that it cannot be checked unless all sections strive for that. However, this time we are going to be more careful. Ministers will be appointed after proper scrutiny.
How was it that Arjun Singh, Madhavrao Scindia and Ajit Jogi did not turn up for the CongressLegislature Party meeting.
They knew that in the leadership election there would be only a one-line resolution.
Then why were others here?
Others were ... (pause). They were here. Arjun Singhji had an important meeting in Delhi and Scindia was in Jaipur that day.
A question was put to Arjun Singh on Pranab Mukherjee's observation that you would be chief minister for five years. Arjun Singh replied that ``generally it is so but this is a living world, not a dead world.'' What do you make of that?
Ask Arjun Singhji. I have nothing to say on that.
One other thing that is doing the rounds is that you are very close to Sharad Pawar and that both of you together have become so powerful that you are in a position to upset the balance of power in Delhi.
I will never in my life ever ditch the Gandhi family. Whatever I am today, I am because of this family. Even when Mr Narasimha Rao was the prime minister, when Soniaji and he were not getting together too well, against allindications, I went to Amethi. I will never, never, never in my life ditch this family.
But there are others who are afraid of the increasing clout of you two.She is the leader. She does not have to be afraid of anyone.
But there are other people who have apprehensions from your growing clout.
The only person who matters is Soniaji.
It is said that Arjun Singh, Scindia, Jogi and Subhash Yadav are working together to destabilise you.
You have an outdated knowledge of this. The things have changed now.
Then, what is the latest?
There is no such thing.
Do you apprehend any trouble from Ajay Singh Rahul (Arjun Singh's son) who had insulted you and humiliated you in the past. In your chamber and in your presence he abused and threatened Vanshmani Prasad Verma and you just could not do anything.
So what? Whatever there was to be done was to be done by the organisation. What could I do?
If somebody who is not even an MLA abuses and threatens an MLA in you presenceand in your own chamber, would you just keep quiet?
You are unnecessarily raising an issue which is not there.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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