Q: What is the reason for the string of defeats suffered by the BJP ever since it came to power at the Centre in 1998?
A. You can't paint all the states with the same brush. In some states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Manipur and Kerala we had only a marginal presence. In some others like Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan we encountered the anti-incumbency factor. In highly polarised voting like Madhya Pradesh, even a shift of 1.5 per cent votes decides the fate of a party. In Punjab we were not the principal party but we suffered the anti-incumbency vote more than the Shiromani Akali Dal. But in several states like Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu we have actually imporved on our past performance. Therefore, the impression that BJP's vote is dwindling is not correct.

Q. But isn't there a common factor behind the successive defeats?
A. No. Every state has peculiar political circumstances. If anything is common, it could only be organisational deficiencies, lack of electoral preparations and problems in strategy making.

Q. Haven't the people rejected the BJP's policies?
A. No. But people are certainly angry with the BJP and we are trying to figure out the reasons for it.

Q. Don't you think there is something seriously amiss in the party and the Government ?
A. Yes but that has to be studied. Interaction between the leadership and workers as well as between grassroots workers and the people is not the same as before. During the past few years, the party had to be constanty engaged in one or the other election. The contact between workers and leaders too reduced because of the influx of new members. Our membership in year 2000 was three crore and by next year, it is expected to be doubled.
It's basically a question of human management.

Q. How do you plan to tackle it?
A. We propose to bridge the communication gap between the cadres and the leaders. I myself along with the five general secretaries have decided to tour at least four states every month, hold meetings with workers and the public. I have written to all BJP members in the Union Cabinet to spare at least four days for the party every month. Some ministers have already agreed to start working for the party from next month. We will also hold a series of training camps to step up the interaction process with leaders. And we are sure to overcome the temporary setback suffered by the party. The real test for the BJP will come next year when six major states ---Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Himachal Pradesh---will go to the assembly elections.We will reverse the trend by then.

Q. But there is some confusion among the cadres about the party's ideology?
A. If that was the case, we should have lost the 1999 parliamentary elections. The cadres have no confusion. They know that the BJP has set aside three issues---Common Civil Code,
Article 370 and Ayodhya Ram Temple---till the NDA Government lasts. Actually, there is no contradiction between Hindutva and secularism. Seeking the Shankaracharya's help in solving the Ayodhya problem or facilitating the shiladan doesn't violate the NDA agenda. In any case, we are practicising politics of consensus on every issue, including Ayodhya.

Q. Hasn't the BJP lost its claim to being a party with a difference?
A. The BJP never claimed it was party with a difference because it had a different agenda from other parties. It was different from others because of its style of functioning and political
behaviour. One has to subjugate personal identity for the party. The party doesn't believe in "I" but "we".

Q. But the party is plagued by dissidence and indiscipline. So what's the difference?
A. It is because of the sudden influx of workers from other parties and a lack of training to them. We have tackled indiscipine with an iron hand. We immediately suspended MLAs in
Karnataka who flouted the party whip during the recent Rajya Sabha polls. We denied tickets to indisciplined legislators in Uttar Pradesh as well. The problem can be tackled through greater motivation and better training.

Q. Why has the BJP become a party of faceless leaders? is there is a leadership crisis?
A. It is true for any party in power. Till 1993, people used to say only that Atalji was the only mass leader in the BJP. Then they began to recognise Advaniji as well. Subsequently, a number of other leaders like Pramod Mahajan, Sushma Swaraj and Venkaiah Naidu were noticed. Now, since most of them have joined the Government, we will need time to develop another line of leadership.

Q. Would you induct some ministers in the party organisation to strengthen it?
A. I have read some reports about some ministers wanting to work for the party. They are most welcome. Our doors are always open for them. But nobody has come to me so far.

Q. There is a demand for Advani to take over as BJP president?
A. I will abdicate the post once I get a hint from Advaniji or Atalji. I will do whatever is needed in the interest of the party.

Q. Isn't this demand being made by your opponents in the party?
A. I have opponents only in other parties, not the BJP.

Q. Are you consulted by top leaders before a decision is taken?
A. Yes. If it involves a state, the state party chief and chief minister or state legislature party leader is consulted. But if the decision concerns only the central unit, I am definitely in the picture.

Q. Are you satisfied with the NDA Government's functioning?
A. No party can provide a perfect government. The NDA Government has several achievements in foreign affairs, defence, science and technology and information technology. But in the economy sector, we are yet to make progress.

Q. But why didn't the achievements translate into votes?
A. Because most of them had nothing to do with the day-to-day lives of people. Areas like rural development and providing employment take time. I hope the Government will take the people's sentiments into consideration while passing the finance bill.