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The Rediff Budget Interview/Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu

'We are with the government on the divestment issue'

Cyber-savvy Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's propensity to use state-of-the-art electronic gadgets and gizmos seems to have rubbed off on his Telugu Desam Party MPs, too.

Most of them have become adept at using Pentium IV-equipped computers, dashing off e-mail to the party chief and others and displaying their computer skills.

Leading the chief minister's example in Delhi is the TDP parliamentary party leader Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu.

On the day of the Union Budget, Yerrannaidu agreed to participate in rediff.com's chat to answer queries on fiscal deficit and budgetary support.

But at the appointed hour, an urgent call from Hyderabad sent Yerrannaidu into a flurry of activity.

"Sorry, I will have to postpone the chat for at least an hour because our chief minister is holding a tele-conference with the TDP MPs on an important matter," he said.

Moments later sleek Hondas, Mitsubishi Lancers, Cielos and a Siena driven by chauffeurs glided into the TDP parliamentary party leader's 9 Safdarjang Road residence. Out poured the TDP MPs.

The chief minister's tele-conference, it transpired, was to determine the TDP's stance on the Vajpayee government's avowed objective of carrying full steam with its divestment agenda, especially pertaining to the country's public sector undertakings.

Chandrababu Naidu's anxiety on his party's stance on divestment could be understandable because some TDP MPs, especially those belonging to the Rajya Sabha, had begun openly speaking out against it. Naidu had been approached by prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's crisis managers and asked point blank where the TDP stood on divestment.

As the outcome of the crucial debate on divestment in the Lok Sabha later showed, the critical TDP MPs, thanks to the Andhra Pradesh chief minister, were 'shepherded' in line.

The TDP in the Lok Sabha not only supported the government's divestment of BALCO, but the party MPs also dissociated themselves from the contrary line taken by their party colleagues in the Rajya Sabha.

Yerrannaidu spoke to Tara Shankar Sahay in an exclusive interview about his party's stance on divestment and other issues. Excerpts.

Why is TDP suddenly critical about the government's divestment policy when it has supported it in the recent past?

I have told you before that the TDP is an independent party whose strategy is decided by our party chief.

In fact, he consults each and everyone of the TDP MPs before deciding on a matter. But the final decision is taken by him.

But it is also true that nobody can take the TDP for granted. If some of our MPs have been critical of the government's divestment policy, it is constructive criticism.

Ministers have also repeatedly said that various issues should be discussed and debated in Parliament so there is nothing wrong if our MPs have been articulate.

We are with the government on the divestment issue. If some of our MPs have spoken against it in the Rajya Sabha, it has been their personal view. I must add that the TDP is a disciplined party and every party MP is bound by party discipline. That's all there is to it.

On several occasions, you have intervened during discussions pertaining to divestment and said that the Opposition MPs must be heard out on the issue. Why?

Yes, I and my party believe that the government must come forward to answer clarifications sought by all members, including those from the Opposition, on divestment.

After all, the future of thousands of workers are involved and the government must remove the apprehensions of the people's representatives that the worker will not will not lose his livelihood.

The TDP MPs are in Parliament not for the fun of it but to protect the interests of the people whom they represent.

Do you agree with Divestment Minister Arun Shourie's contention that MPs should not have double standards on divestment - one for the Centre and the other for their own respective state?

I cannot answer that question because I have only one standard - my party's interests. After all, MPs represent their respective party and ideology and they have to do what suits their party best.

Why has the feeling gained ground in political circles that the TDP's earlier proximity to the BJP is rapidly waning ?

We cannot prevent people's feelings from gaining ground in whichever direction.

Our party is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with outside support. Even in the past, the media was full of speculation that our party had fallen out with the BJP. It is nothing new. I suppose people are trying to portray as reality what they want to write.

Is it true that your party extends support to the government in Parliament on an issue-to-issue basis?

Of course, issues are important to us and our party leadership thrashes them out according to priority and relevance. That is why we say nobody can take our support for granted. We are always alert.

Could you clarify why the TDP (along with Trinamul Congress) are openly exercised over various issues like divestment and Ayodhya in Parliament but invariably come out mollified after meeting the prime minister?

As far as the TDP is concerned, it is a vibrant party whose MPs do not hesitate to seek clarifications from the government, including the prime minister, on issues which is of vital importance to us.

I must also point out that Vajpayee-ji is a gentleman who has always explained why the government has taken a particular step or line. I think it is admirable of Vajpayee-ji to satisfy his government's allies on sensitive issues.

Do you think that the government could revert to its pro-Hindutva stance given the fact that the hardcore constituents of Sangh Parivar keep harping that the Ram Mandir will be constructed in Ayodhya at the disputed site?

The TDP is very clear that it will never compromise on secularism. We met prime minister Vajpayee last time (when Vajpayee made the controversial statement about national sentiments being involved in Ayodhya ) and he told us that his government would not deviate from the NDA agenda of governance.

We have accepted his words that the Ayodhya issue would be decided following the court verdict. But if something goes amiss, the TDP will not remain a silent spectator. We will not allow the secular fabric of the country to be perforated by narrow-minded religious entities.

What is the situation pertaining to divestment in Andhra Pradesh?

We are proceeding according to the vision of our chief minister who is our leader and Andhra Pradesh will not be found wanting in keeping pace with the changing times.

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