Q. Has the Opposition united after the dinner meeting convened by CPI(M) leader Somnath Chatterjee?

A. Yes, of course. The Congress, which was supporting POTO with some amendments, is now following our line of complete opposition to the ordinance. The entire Opposition stands united on various other issues like George Fernandes' reinduction, Ayodhya and SIMI.

Q. Will the opposition unity extend to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections as well?

A. No. The Congress doesn't have a presence in Uttar Pradesh. My party will get a complete majority but I prefer to form a government with Lok Morcha (People's Front) constituents-CPI and CPI(M). Anyway we did not discuss the Uttar Pradesh elections during our dinner meeting.

Q. But communist parties have even less presence than the Congress ...

A. They help in maintaining a congenial political atmosphere.

Q. Don't you think in agreeing to talk to you, Sonia Gandhi has changed a lot after April 1999 when she claimed the support of 272 MPs in the Lok Sabha?

A. Yes, of course. Her nature has changed but not her policies. The Congress has failed to take a concrete stand on any issue so far.

Q. Three Samajwadi MPs have rebelled against General Secretary Amar Singh. Why?

A. This is all an excuse to leave the party. They can't oppose me because people will beat them up if they do. Nobody in my party is against Amar Singh.

--Sharad Gupta

TREMORS India's Troubled Neighbours
	Afghanistan:: Some semblance of life and stability has begun to return to the battlefield, and India's got a role
	Pakistan: Hasn't gone to pieces or to the Taliban but hasn't become friend of J&K Police either.
	Nepal: The country is close to anarchy; despite cross-border maoism, India doesn't seem concerned enough.?
	Bangladesh: Minorities continue to get the stick and worse but India, despite Northeast woes, is cool.