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The Rediff Interview L Ganesan

'Vajpayee is a brahmachari. He might not have had the experience of dealing with women'

'Some may say BJP minus J is BP. BP is Better Party, Better Performance!'

Yes, it is natural to have clashes. But the way you pacified her...

When the wife is angry, the husband pacifies her and when the husband is angry, the wife pacifies him. No, it is not appeasing. We wanted to see the family intact. As per Hindu dharma, we don't go for a divorce after every fight. It may be there in the Western culture but not here. So, it was not appeasement or pacification. We wanted the coalition to continue. We wanted to convince our alliance partners about our moves.

The BJP has only one interest, that is the interest of the nation, while some others have only one interest and that is, personal interest. So, the clash of interests also was an important factor. People asked us, 'Why did (Defence Minister George) Fernandes have to wait at the doors of Jayalalitha?' Let me ask you, when even Lord Krishna went to visit Duryodhana, who are Pramod Mahajan and Jaswant Singh? They are nobody in front of Lord Krishna. It is all for dharma.

But the general public does not feel so...

No, I don't agree with you. People have observed all that had happened and now they are convinced. Lord Krishna blew his panchajanya only when there was no other go. Now also it has happened in the same way. We were very, very patient till now. We sent emissaries and the emissaries were not ordinary people. Still, she is not able to understand us. It was mistaken as our weakness.

Was that not so?

No, no... We tried our best to convince her but she refused to be convinced. So, we thought 'enough is enough'. Now Vajpayee has shown the way.

Like she was not convinced, the public also is not convinced. They feel, you should have said 'enough is enough' earlier itself.

If we had behaved like that, people would have blamed us. If the government falls tomorrow, nobody will blame us. If we had asked Jayalalitha to quit earlier, then the voters would have asked us, 'We voted for you for a stable government, why did you send Jayalalitha out?' Now, nobody would blame us as they had been watching us. They have only sympathy for Vajpayee. He is such a great man and he was humiliated. Still for the sake of the nation, he tolerated everything. And now the time has come for us to say goodbye.

All the BJP leaders are stating that the three issues raised by Jayalalitha are not the real issues and the real issue is something else. Why is it that nobody wants to reveal the real issue, the hidden issue?

I think after some time, she herself will tell you that. You can also ask her about her demands. You can ask her, 'What are the demands made by you and what are the demands refused by the PM?' She herself will come out soon.

Why do you not want to reveal the real issue?

If at all there is an issue, let us be in suspense for some more time! (laughs)

You have had several meetings with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and you met him yesterday also. Jayalalitha has been saying you struck a secret deal with him. Is it true?

A person who is in public life has to meet the CM for different reasons. I go to meet the CM, not the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. I met him yesterday for some other reason.

Didn't you talk about the present political situation at all?

It is but natural that when two persons in the political field meet, they talk about the political situation too. I did talk about politics but my mission was not that.

Did you ask for his support?

No, I did not seek any support.

Will you seek his support?

Definitely, definitely. People seek support from all quarters (laughs).

Despite Jayalalitha repeatedly asking for the DMK government's dismissal, the BJP has not done that?

Even in Bihar, we could not use Article 356. So, there is no question of using it in any other state. After what has happened to the Bihar issue, nobody will ask us do that again. But that is not the matter. We cannot and we don't want to use Article 356.

Then why does the BJP say that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu is deteriorating?

It is not as bad as Bihar.

Not as bad as Bihar! Does that mean it is bad?

It is a fact that the law and order situation is deteriorating. Everybody will accept it. At least as far as Islamic fundamental activities are concerned, Tamil Nadu stands at the number two position, next only to Jammu and Kashmir. Why have the terrorists chosen Tamil Nadu as their hideout? They feel it is a safe place for them. It is an island for them.

But people feel that life over here is quite peaceful.

It (terrorist activities) stopped only because of our efforts. Do you think all their activities would have stopped, had the BJP been not in power at the Centre, had (Lal Kishenchand) Advani not been the home minister? No.

So, the BJP takes credit for the peaceful atmosphere here?

Definitely.

This year, Tamil Nadu emerged first in attracting industries to the state. Had the law and order situation been so bad, industrialists would not have come here at all. But they have found Tamil Nadu more attractive than even Maharashtra.

You cannot compare the terrorist problem with the law and order problem. In Bihar, the law and order situation is bad. But you cannot normally see terrorist activities in the open. That is why we objected to the statement of the officer who came here and said that it was safer to walk on the Marina beach in the morning.

The BJP said you could do for the country in ten years what the others couldn't do in 50 years. But you found it difficult to complete one year in office and it is a question mark even now.

We know what is going to happen next. We will continue and complete our term.

Are you really confident or is it just a facade?

I am really confident. Even Vajpayee said, 'When I became the PM, I had no confidence that I would continue for one year. But now after ruling for one year, I am confident of completing five years.' He is not an ordinary person.

Do you feel you will be in a better position to rule the country after the AIADMK leaves the alliance?

Some people may say, the BJP minus J is BP. BP is not blood pressure. BP is Better Party, Better Performance! And Better Position too!

Do you feel you have burnt your fingers by aligning with Jayalalitha?

See this is an experience. In life, you have to face so many situations. This is one of the experiences. And we have enjoyed it.

Really?

Really. Vajpayee is a brahmachari. He might not have had the experience of (laughs) dealing with women. So, it is an experience! What is that old film? Do naari aur ek brahmachari? (laughs)

Who are the do naaris?

Sonia Gandhi and Jayalalitha. (laughs)

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