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The Rediff Interview/ Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar is 60 today, December 12. With a political career spanning 33 years, the thrice chief minister of Maharashtra refutes all claims that he has become politically inactive and is headed for the same oblivion met by some of his predecessors who broke away from the Congress party.

In an exclusive interview to Special Correspondent Onkar Singh at his home in New Delhi, Pawar expressed his surprise at Atal Bihari Vajpayee's sudden remark on the Ayodhya issue. "Even if he had to make a statement on the subject he should have done so in Parliament and not outside," says Pawar.

Defence minister in Narasimha Rao's Cabinet at the time of the demolition, Pawar also disagrees with his former party's demand for the resignations of L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti -- the Union ministers charged in the Babri Masjid case.

Do you feel Prime Minister Vajpayee deliberately made a provocative statement on the Ram Mandir issue to divert the Opposition attack on economic issues?

When the NDA government made its position clear on this particular issue a couple of months back, they said the matter was pending in court and ultimately the court's decision would be binding on everybody. This was their approach. Against this background I have two serious objections to the PM's statement.

First, if at all, he had to make a statement on an issue like this -- the proper forum would have been the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. He avoided that. This is a breach of propriety.

Second, his statement is a major deviation from the view communicated to Parliament by the government. This is different from the line adopted by the NDA.

What, according to you, should the NDA partners do?

People like Chandrababu Naidu, M Karunanidhi should insist that Prime Minister Vajpayee clarify his position on the floor of the House. He cannot deviate from the line adopted by the NDA.

When a person heading the government makes such statements, when the issue is pending in court, this will definitely send wrong signals.

The Congress has been pressing for the resignations of L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti. Do you support this demand?

I do not support this demand because they (barring Uma Bharti) have been in the Union Cabinet for the last two years. Why has this issue been raked up only now? I am not particularly happy about these issues being raised on December 6 every year.

What happened on December 6, 1992 when the Babri Masjid was demolished was shameful for this country. It was an assault on the unity and integrity of India. It was an assault on the secularism of India. The country has paid a heavy price. There were riots in various parts of the country. Thousands lost their lives. Property worth crores of rupees was destroyed. And it sent bad signals outside India about India.

Knowing all this, if responsible people are going to take up this issue again and again every year, I cannot understand their motives. Are they trying to instigate some sections of society and help fundamentalist forces?

So you attribute motives to the moves made by the Congress and other Opposition parties?

I was definitely not happy by the way the whole issue was raked up again. It happens every year -- a halla-gulla (pandemonium) is made. This is not correct. But the PM's statement was more objectionable than the move of the Opposition parties. What complicated the matter further was his so-called clarification. Now it would be very difficult for Parliament to function.

The only way this thing can be sorted out now is by having a discussion in Parliament under rule 184 and thereby give everyone an opportunity to speak. It would also provide an opportunity to the PM to clarify his statements.

Do you agree with former prime minister V P Singh that by bringing up the Babri Masjid issue the Opposition has given the government an opportunity to divert attention from economic issues?

Of course, this is true. The country is facing very tough times, particularly the farming community. We should be more concerned about the plight of the farming community than anything else.

Do you see the possibility of a Third Front emerging again?

I do not think this is going to happen in the near future. Partners in the NDA will have to be honest with themselves. If they see that the BJP is implementing its hidden agenda then they have no option but to act.

Your critics say you have become inactive and are going the way of your late mentor, Yashwantrao Chavan.

I am very active in developmental roles. I am very active in the co-operative movement. I am very active in agro-industrial growth. I am taking up the issues of the farmers of India. I am active in the field of education. I am worried about development in the field of information technology, communication etc. So you cannot say that I have become inactive.

Are you happy with the Maharashtra government's performance?

The government is facing a serious financial crisis. A serious energy crisis. They are trying their best to resolve these issues. It will have to take some unpleasant steps in the larger interest of the state. So they are worried and are not able to take correct decisions.

One has to think about political interests. But that is not the only thing. We have to be guided by the interest of society and the development of the state.

Do you agree that the steps taken by Prime Minister Vajpayee in Kashmir will do more good to India?

There is no doubt that the steps taken by the PM would do us good. India is trying to resolve the Kashmir problem through negotiations. And that is what the step taken by the PM indicates. Some radicals might think this is a weak step. But ultimately it will strengthen the country. Yes, the militants have not given up violence but this is one way to isolate them.

Some of your critics are worried that you are now going to dabble in sport as well.

Only those who do not know what I have been doing in the field of sport are worried. I have been president of the Maharashtra Olympic Association for the last 20 years. I have been president of the Indian Kabbadi Association and likewise I have been associated with various other sports as well. So let the critics say what they want.

How are you going to celebrate your 60th birthday?

Nothing special. I will attend Parliament as usual and my political work. I will be at home and I have no intention of cutting a cake etc.

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