Coming down sharply on the Badal government's decision of free electricity to state farmers, Gujral said: "The Punjab farmer needs an `assured' supply not `free' supply of electricity. He is too proud to be fed on free electricity," he remarked. Calling Badal government's policies "unfortunate" decisions, he said: "Despite my massive assistance to the state, the situation is now very difficult for the rural Punjab." Commenting on the Science City project in Jalandhar, (the foundation stone of which was laid by Gujral) which so far has not seen the light of the day, he said: "The land was allotted before I laid the foundation stone and the HRD Ministry has already sanctioned money for the project. Let the government explain as to the delay."

Talking about his political activities, he said: "I have taken leave from political parties but not from politics." He said that such stages always come in a person's career. "Mine has come today, but I want to focus on public welfare and intellectual activities for the moment."

On the present situation in Pakistan, he commented: "It was the Kargil misadventure that has led to the present situation in Pakistan. It is an expression of internal dissensions that began after the Nawaz Sharif government asked the Army to back out from Kargil, which was in fact very humiliating for the Pakistan army. It was the friction between civil and armed forces that accentuated the problem in Pakistan."

However, he said, it was rather very "unfortunate" that democracy was unceremoniously ended in Pakistan.

He seemed optimistic that with the new rule in Pakistan, India could resume talks with them. He said the diplomatic role of the Vajpayee government in reaction to the emergency in Pakistan was appropriate. "The government is appropriately waiting and is alert for any reaction."