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The Rediff Interview/Ganesh Naik

'You just wait and watch...'

Ever since Chhagan Bhujbal split the Shiv Sena in 1991, no Sainik has dared to question party chief Bal Thackeray's authority. In fact, Thackeray has openly stated that he runs the Maharashtra government by remote-control.

Thus it is surprising that one state minister, Ganesh Naik who handles the environment and forest department, has virtually raised a banner of revolt against the party high command. Defying Chief Minister Manohar Joshi's order to resign from the state cabinet to facilitate a reshuffle, Naik has stated that he will do so only if told why he is being asked to go. When it comes to it, he would rather be sacked than resign, he is reported to have told the chief minister.

Interestingly, his revolt comes at a time when things are a little stormy between the Sena chief and the man he anointed chief minister three years ago. In an interview to Syed Firdaus Ashraf, Naik states that he is first and foremost a social worker and will remain one even if he is not in the Sena.

You have said you won't resign from the ministry and would rather be sacked. What is the point you are trying to make by this insistence?

I have been in politics for a very long time. Never in my life have I had a bad image. So, I want to know the reasons from my leaders as to why I should quit. Because, as far as I know, I have done nothing wrong in my life. I have a genuine case for refusing to quit. And therefore, I stated that if the party leaders want to sack me, then there is no problem.

So, will you disobey Mr Thackeray's order, even if he tells you to resign?

No, my point is to know the reason why I should quit the cabinet.

Obviously, there must be some dispute between you and Mr Thackeray, which is why he must have asked you to quit?

If there is some problem between us, then you should put this question to Balasaheb Thackeray and not me. Because the party leaders want me to quit and it's not me who wants to resign.

Did Mr Thackeray telephone you or meet you to say that you must quit?

No, neither!

When did you meet him last?

Ten days ago, I met him at Matoshree, his residence. But that was for some personal reason and politics was not discussed in that meeting. I don't like to disturb Balasaheb unnecessarily, he is a busy man. But whenever there is some important work, I make it a point to meet him.

Are you planning to form a new party?

I have not decided yet. But I am still in the Shiv Sena and am not leaving the party.

But there are strong rumours that you will form a new party to focus on New Bombay's development, something on the lines of Suresh Kalmadi's Pune Vikas Aghadi?

I am a social worker. I am not interested in posts. But as a social worker, I feel that I must know why my image is being denigrated. As far as forming a new party is concerned, I am working for the development of New Bombay. And I will do that whether I am in the Shiv Sena or not.

So, are you taking over from Chaggan Bhujbal?

(Laughs.) Are you planning to offer me the leader of the Opposition's job?

In case you are sacked from the Sena, what will you do?

I am a social worker and I work for the people. The only thing I can tell you is, you just wait and watch.

The Rediff Interview