Q. It’s said you were hesitant to head a small state like Uttaranchal as you’ve been Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister three times and held many portfolios as Central minister.
A. I am a committed soldier of the Congress. I will never question any assignment given to me. Have you heard a soldier complain on being sent to Kargil or Kashmir?

Q. Were you angling for the post of President of India?
A. I have never said so. It is the people who say I am hoping to become President. I can’t help that.

Q. How do you plan to make Uttaranchal self-reliant?
A. My priorities would be power, irrigation, forests and fruit belts. If these areas are tapped properly, the state will develop.

Q. People are annoyed Dehradun is the state capital and they want a new capital.
A. No contentious issues please.We will look into the disputed matters later. First we must concentrate on the development of the state and fulfil the aspiration of the masses.

Q. Why did you meet Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri?
A. I met the governor to discuss the division of assets and proper deployment of officers between Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. I have a firm belief that development of the two states lies in mutual cooperation.

Q. How was the performance of the previous bjp government in Uttaranchal?
A. They did some development work, but a lot has to be done.

TREMORS Vajpayee and his NDA partners
	Samata Party: With George Fernandes back as minister, the party has few grouses. Thick with the BJP.
	Telugu Desam Party: As long as party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu can broker deals for his state, the TDP is happy.
	Trinamool Congress Party: Mamata Banerjee attacked poto, but will cling on to the nda as she has no option.
	DMK: As the bjp got cosy with J. Jayalalithaa, the party snapped ties at the state. Ties at the Centre seem fragile.