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INTERVIEW KALYAN SINGH

"I wanted to rid Uttar Pradesh of a corrupt government"

2 Mall Avenue, the residence of former chief minister Kalyan Singh heading the Rashtriya Kranti Party (RKP) is buzzing with activity these days. His supporters, not to mention bureaucrats, are making a beeline here for coveted postings. Having played an important role in the oust-Mayawati campaign, Kalyan Singh evidently is in much demand now. But despite his busy schedule, he spoke to India Today's Farzand Ahmed. Excerpts:

Q: What were your reasons for ousting the previous government?
A: I wanted to rid Uttar Pradesh of a corrupt, castiest government headed by Mayawati who had systematically demolished the state machinery, gagged the political system and institutions. Above all, I was determined to bring an end to the dictatorial regime.

Q:What was the turning point?
A: When I noticed that the state machinery was drenched in corruption and political opponents were being thrown behind bars.

Q: You are favouring those whom you had once described as "kunda ka gunda". Why this change?
A: That is an old and dead issue. It has no relevance today. It was pathetic to see that if you are on the right side of the government, you are free to commit any crime.

Q: You weer raising the corruption issue in the last regime. You demanded a probe into the foreign visit of Mayawati two months ago. Will you be pursuing this now as well?
A: I am of the opinion that corruption in the Mayawati government should be probed according to law. It should not be seen as political vendetta. No one should be spared under the cover of political vendetta. If anyone has indulged in corruption, it has to be exposed.

Q: A controversial officer has been given a key post in the new regime as well?
A: No comments. This is the perogative of the chief minister.

Q: What will be the common minimum programme of the new government?
A: There is no need for any such programme. But the agenda of the new government should be to provide a corruption-free state machinery, improved law and order s
relief to farmers and emloyment to the jobless.

Q: According to you, who was responsible for the corruption in the previous regime-Mayawati, trhe BJP or both?
A: Primarily it was Mayawati. But the BJP is equally responsible. The common minimum programme of the two was "looto auraapas mein khao (loot and divide mutually).

Q: Do you think the BJP will go with the BSP before the next Lok Sabha elections?
A: I feel the BJP would have no choice but go with the BSP again. The BJP was half dead after the last assembly elections and needed the crutches of the BSP to stand. Now its crutches have also gone and it has fallen flat.

Q: But you and Mayawati are on the same platform on the issue of Rajnath Singh. Both of you are critical of him.
A: I don't know what Mayawati says about him. But I believe Rajnath Singh has spoiled the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Q: You have been known as a Hindu Mahanayak after the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya. How did the Hindu Mahanayak joined hands with the Maulana Mulayam ?
A: "Samaya sb kuch samjha deta hai"(things change with the passage of time).

Q: Coming back to your pet issue of Ayodhya, do you agree with the ASI report?
A: Nobody has the right to accept it or reject it except the court. Whatever be the court's view it should be binding on all.

Q:Will you appear before the Liberahan Commission which issued warrants against you?
A: No commission has a right to issue warrants. It can issue only summons. I have challenged it in court.

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