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The Somnath Chatterjee Chat

Trey I'm in Calcutta

Oh! so you are from the state of the left parties! Are you a firm believer in Marxisum?

Actually Trey I don't have much of political belief I'm here to find out from mr somnath first hand what is the political situation right now in the capital and what does he think will happen although the articles on Rediff have given me a prety idea of whats gonna happen

Mr Somnath can you tell us what do you think will be the outcome of the political situation right now? Will Moopanar be the next prime minister??

Great, so you are also a regular visitor to Rediff! What's do you think about the Congress's game plan now?

Rediff, is Mr S Chatterjee in? Sure have a lot of queries for him.

Trey I think that Congress never had much of a gameplan , it is helplessly watching their party leader Sitaram Kesri have a final go at his ambition to become the PM cause this kind of coup would also mean that the 80+ leader also has the seat of the party leader for another term

HELLO, REDIFF. IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK HERE.

that was a bit too loud!

But do you think Kesri will be able to see his dream come true? From where he will secure the support?

Welcome to the Rediff Chat, Mr Chatterjee. It is good to have you with us tonight. I do hope you will enjoy this experience.

Mr Chatterjee: What are the chances of the United Front government staying in power? I am sure you will say yes, so what is the basis for your optimism?

Somnathbabu, before we all force you to start crystal gazing, can you please tell us what exactly is the role played by left parties in this new confused age of Indian Polity? How is it different from the traditional approach of protest and difference? In other words, if the left is not capable of taking centerstage even after 70 years of existence, what different model of politics are they trying to project? Or is there nothing like that?

Mr Somnath Chatterjee will be joining us shortly. He is on his way, please bear with us. Thank you.

EVERYONE:I am very happy to be here and say hello to everybody. I will be happy to answer any questions that may be put. I convey my greetings to everybody.

is Mr. somnathji in!! good evening

Hello folks! Me is here! How are things? Simply dying to ask dear Mr Chatterjee a coupla questions! Isn't he here yet?

great. Can we fire?

how is the indian political scenario right now hotting up??

Trey: We do not see any possibility of Mr Kesri becoming the PM. I think that he has got his calculations all wrong. As a matter of fact most of the Congress Lok Sabha MPs and there are quite a few of them whom I met and with whom I discussed the possibilities when they said that they were themselves surprised that their leader should have taken a stand which may put the Congress into greater difficulty. It may be that he has hastened a mid term poll this country cannot afford nor do the people want any election now.

Hello Mr Somnath can you tell us how will Mr Gowda prove his majority on the floor

Somnathbabu, before we all force you to start crystal gazing, can you please tell us what exactly is the role played by left parties in this new confused age of Indian Polity? How is it different from the traditional approach of protest and difference? In other words, if the left is not capable of taking centerstage even after 70 years of existence, what different model of politics are they trying to project? Or is there nothing like that?

Comrade Chatterjee, Lal Salaam. Inquilab Zindabad. Why do you think Kesri did what he did? He is not such a fool. Surely, someone must have promised him support from the UF.

Hi ,Somath GI What is Political Situvation In INDIA, Now Sitharam Kesari Withdraw support to UF Party, Please What is Party Role in this Time ? Krushna Murhty Dundigalla , New York USA

Subrato: I think the Left parties have brought into Indian politics that we should be governed by some principles. And that near personal whims of leaders should not prevail. We have a limited strength in the country and we have never compromised with our basic policies and programmes which are directed towards helping the common people, the working classes, the peasantry and the vulnerable sections of the community. It may be noted that we have been in power in West Bengal for the last 20 years and we are the major force and a major political party in Kerala and Tripura where nobody can complain of anti-people policies and programmes adopted by the government.

Mr Chatterjee, was Mr Kesri's decision inspired by fear? Is it a tactic brought upon by fear that the CBI would indict him in the Tanwar case? On this service, EMS said that was the case. What do you think?

adminji!! what's the status??

Somnathbabu, the left has shown the greatest versatility in getting into coalition. They ruled with BJP in the centre, and they ruled with Islamic parties in Kerala. However, they cannot touch Congress. How do you explain your secularism?

Mr Chatterjee: Why did Kesri make such a move knowing fully well the implications....who is guiding Sitaram Kesri?

Somnathbabu : EMS Namboodiripad noted a few days ago in this site that he say a grand revival of communism. And he cited Albania. Albania!! Your comments?

Mr Chatterjee, what are the chances of Jyoti Basu becoming prime minister as a compromise candidate? This is a chance for the party to correct its historic blunder of May 1996.

Mr Chatterjee, what are the chances of Jyoti Basu becoming prime minister as a compromise candidate? This is a chance for the party to correct its historic blunder of May 1996.

Mr Somanath Gi, Who is the Next Prime Minster ??? India is Going for once again Election? Can You tell Me about the India Political Situvation Now.

Are there any weak links in the UF? What about the two Yadavs?

Pavan Kumar: Yes at the moment it appears very uncertain because without any real change in the situation the Congress and Sitaram Kesri has withdrawn its support from the UF government. This is totally inexplicable and it has created uncertainty in India's politics and also serious problems for the economic development of the country. And even the fate of the finance bill has become uncertain.

SOMNATHJI, (sorry to be shouting, but that's the only way a lady can make herself heard in this din) How would you rate fellow-babu Jyoti Basu's chances of making it at least this time? I mean, if he asked, will you guys pull him back? How do you rate his chances?

Mr. Chatterjee, As a seasoned politician , I would like to place forward some changes that need to be brought in. I believe that we should not recognise any post election alliances as valid, ex. the UF . I beleive that is a violation of the peoples mandate. Only pre-election alliances should be recognised. What are your views ?

Will your party support a Congress-led coalition to keep the forces of communalism away from power? There is nothing wrong in doing so, if you are really concerned about secularism.

There is only one party that can and should rule India. That Party is BJP. It is the only Lotus in the mud of Indian Politics.

MR Chatterjee, Is There Any Chance to Become a Prime minster in Gandhis Family( Sonia or Priyanka Gandhi), If Gandhi Family will take Congress Leadership Whether Your UF will Support to his Party.

James: Without the Congress supporting the UF and voting against UF along with the BJP will mean that the present government will be defeated on the floor of the House. However, it is possible that the Congress will reconsider because a good deal of pressure is building up inside the Congress against Kesri's decision.

yep, i agree with you on that, sanjeev... about the BJP being in the mud. Sure they are pretty muddy, all of them. where else do you think they got the saffron colour?

Somnathji, Do you think the populist budget presented by the UF government, growing base of UF was responsible for the Conress's withdrawl of support to the UF government?

Mr. Chatterjee, As a seasoned politician , I would like to place forward some changes that need to be brought in. I believe that we should not recognise any post election alliances as valid, ex. the UF . I beleive that is a violation of the peoples mandate. Only pre-election alliances should be recognised. What are your views ?

SOMNATHJI DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN THE CONGRESS LEADERSHIP AND SONIA GANDHI WILL TAKE OVER THE MANTLE AS THE NEW LEADER OF THE CONGRESS PARTY?????

Mr Chatterjee: There is no way the Congress can go back on its letter to the President without Mr Kesri losing face and power. The party would also be seriously affected. How can you avert a stand-off and a general election in Parliament?