Voices

India Today, February 8, 1999
Feb 8, 1999

"Everybody knows that an Alsatian dog does not go beyond its compound walls."
Sharad Pawar, Congress leader, on Sena chief Bal Thackeray

"Excuse my treachery, we committed a mistake by being nationalists."
Bal Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief, after calling off the protest against the Pakistani cricket team's tour of India

"It is time for the prime minister and the home minister to pack their bags."
Madhavrao Scindia, Congress leader, on the Centre's failure to prevent atrocities on the Christian community

"Diversity is the hallmark of our society. But now that very diversity is being used to divide us."
Sonia Gandhi, Congress president

"We'll wait till the budget and see what it does to our Bengal package. Then we'll strike."
Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress chief, on continuation of support to the BJP-led Government, in The Indian Express

"We never gave up the policy of self-defence. In a state like Bihar, self-defence is linked to survival."
Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI(ML) general secretary

"The Kashmir issue isn't new. And even if it is, it can't be resolved by digging up pitches and smashing trophies."
Bishen Singh Bedi, former cricket captain

"I am playing with my money."
Ram Gopal Varma, director, on being different, in Showtime