Q&AEXCLUSIVE

How do you rate the Modi government?It’s hardly been a little more than a year and it’s too early. Even if Modi is losing sheen, there has to be an

alternative. I don’t see anyone occupying that space. Someone has to come forward at the national level to occupy that space.

Do you think the PM should have been more proactive during Parliament session?It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the House functions. I don’t say that the Opposition has no responsibility but the main responsibility is that of government.

Why do you think it is missing?I have not seen a single initiative taken by the PM.

Is it because Modi doesn’t have a personal rapport with Opposition leaders?It is Modi’s responsibility to take the initia-tive. There will be differences but dialogue has to continue in a democracy. That process was done by parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu, whose job is to facilitate the leader (the PM) to start a dialogue.

Did several Opposition parties avoid insist-ing on Sushma Swaraj’s resignation be-cause of personal equations?The Opposition was united on the issue. The Congress had decided to boycott. We felt boycotting Parliament was not the way, so our MPs raised the issue. Unless you say something inside the House, it will not be on record.

Do you think Swaraj should resign?If something wrong has been done, then any minister should resign. But I do not have specific information to come to that conclusion.

Do you think suspension of 25 Congress MPs was a mistake?It just wasn’t one action. After observing what’s happening, I am happy that I am not a Lok Sabha MP. This year, I will complete 48 years as a legislator without break. In my 47 years in the Lok Sabha/assembly, I never en-tered the well of the House. But the way the honourable Speaker treated the Opposition and her bias, vis-à-vis BJP, probably I too would have gone to the well of the House.

Is the bitterness between the Congress and the BJP repairable?If in the next session an initiative is taken

by the PM and the BJP, the session will run smoothly. Ultimately we have to take a definite view on various legislations. While I have not discussed anything with the Congress, I know after spending so many years in it that it will not go to the extent of working for washout of an entire session.

Do the Gandhis and Modi personally dislike each other?It is not a question of Sonia, Sharad Pawar or Ghulam Nabi Azad. It’s a question about dealing with the Opposition as a whole. In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker had called for a meeting but the actions of the Speaker created unhappiness in the Opposition. So if a meeting is called by the PM himself, the process of dialogue could have started.

What is your take on Lalitgate?I thought Sushma would criticise the Congress and its performance. But what happened when Rajiv Gandhi was PM, what happened in Bofors, what happened with (Warren) Andersen — these are all dead things. That showed she had no major issue to raise. I don’t think it was in good taste.

And Rahul’s statement on Swaraj?One should not take that speech seriously. If after Kharge some others in the party like Scindia had spoken, perhaps the Congress performance would have been better.

What is happening on GST and land bill?We had a series of meetings on the land bill. Out of 15 problematic issues, we have

resolved 12. Of the remaining 3, we can definitely come to an understanding on two. There is serious differences only on the issue of compensation. One has to be pragmatic here.

Will you call the government’s climb down on the land bill a defeat for it?I don’t think so. The committee is headed by a BJP MP and government has a majority in the committee. But the chairman of the com-mittee allowed inputs from all MPs. That’s how most suggestions from the Opposition was accepted and incorporated.

Do you think there will be a special session to pass GST?If the government is serious, it has to pass the bill in the next few weeks. There is a possibility for a session. The bill was derailed in the last four years by the BJP. Mr Modi was the champion of opposing it as the CM of Gujarat. For the last four years BJP delayed and opposed but still we insisted the bill is required. If there are some issues we will raise it. We may oppose some provi-sions but not the bill as a whole.

Will the BJP’s campaign against Parliament disruption derail GST?This approach is destroying the process of dialogue. They can organise meetings, condemn people, but this is only increasing bitterness. Then they should not expect cooperation from the Opposition.

What about BJP’s charge that Rahul Gan-dhi is too obstinate?Then discuss it with Sonia, the president of the Congress!

Did you say this kind of breakdown of rela-tions has never happened?I recollect there was a lot of bitterness at the time of Emergency. But today it has gone to the highest level.

Are you comparing today’s scene to the Emergency?Yes! Bitterness is worse.

But Parliament sessions were washed out earlier too…There was a process of dialogue then. Manmohan Singh never kept this type of re-lationship with the Opposition, where there was no discussion or meetings. Secondly, there were capable persons like Mr Pranab Mukherjee, who continuously kept a rapport with all Opposition.

Is there no one for that role now?We cannot compare. Pranab became the President. It speaks for his stature and expe-rience. Venkaiah Naidu is a good man but he is a first time Lok Sabha member.

But is Naidu empowered to take decisions?I don’t know (laughs). It looks like you peo-ple have more knowledge.

You had said there is no alternative to Modi. Does that mean Rahul is not shaping up?There was that feeling earlier but in the last few months, the way he has addressed many things, I think he is improving. If he continues like this for the next few years then definitely he will be much better.

How do you see the Bihar polls shaping up?If Nitish Kumar, Lalu, Congress and NCP come together they will secure a clear majority. If that does not happen, then probably BJP may have the advantage. My appeal to these leaders is to work together.

Is India Inc upset with government?Even in a state like Maharashtra, the invest-ment climate is missing. Initially, there were definitely high expectations but in a year industrialists and investors have realised nothing is moving. There are only tall claims and speeches. That’s why we don’t see substantial investment or development. Yesterday, I was watching the PM’s speech, where he mentioned thousands of crores of investments. I don’t know who will invest. Hardworking people from the Gulf are sending remittances but they are not big businessmen who can build oil refiner-ies, they work in refineries! We have seen previous visits where similar figures were discussed. Outside India too investors are not that confident. The investment climate is not really improving.

So you disagree on the ease of doing business?I will be happy if it happens but I don’t see it. And, if I don’t see investments in Maharash-tra, then where is the question of invest-ments in other states?

Is it because the government is trying to disprove that it is not ‘suit-boot ki sarkar’?We should not come to the conclusion that one statement has affected the entire government. I am a farmer and the farming community is very unhappy with the gov-ernment. They are not getting better price for a single crop. I have looked after agri-culture for the last ten years and India has been the largest exporter of rice, second-largest exporter of wheat, cotton and sugar. This was achieved through a proper price mechanism, which is missing now. That is why farmers are in distress.

So is this govt pro-corporate?The corporate sector’s situation is also not good. I don’t know pro-who this government is. Maybe, sadhus and sanyasis.

Do you think fringe elements are alienat-ing the government?The comments made by the sadhivs and sadhus in Parliament definitely send a wrong signal. People want development, modern thinking. They want to encourage and support research in agriculture and other fields. I saw the statement of one important person that hybrid foods research should be stopped. Restricting such products is one thing but if someone insists that research should be stopped, I don’t think that is correct.

Do you think these statements are mak-ing minorities wary?Why only minorities? People like me also. Sensible people are worried.

Should the government reach out to mi-norities more?No one expects this government to do anything for minorities.

Do you think there has been increase in social tensions?The numbers of incidents are more but I won’t jump to that conclusion.

What do you think of the beef ban?It is a foolish decision of the state govern-ment. As a farmer, what will I do with my bullock that is not helping me now? Looking after it will cost me at least `150 per day.

How would you rate Fadnavis?A few days ago I was in a drought-hit area. There is no drinking water. Just once in 10-15 days. I don’t see the government doing anything. There is no fodder for cattle. There are no crops except sugarcane and farmers are cutting it to use as fodder to save the cattle. There is no effort from the government. They have done one good thing though — distributing wheat and rice at a cheaper rate.

What is your view of Rahul?Why should I speak on him? Why should I give him importance? If I have to give importance I will give it to the Congress president. In the hierarchy there are many…

What is your view on the Maggi ban?If there is a serious problem with quality, the government has to act. That is not the case here. The product has been accepted globally

— in Singapore, London, USA. I don’t know about our labs. (laughs) I think the standards of our labs have reached a level that all these countries should learn from us (laughs).But this approach will ultimately destroy the agro-processing sector. In India, the infra-structure is insufficient for the processing industry and that’s why losses in transit and other areas is `50,000 cr a year. To reduce this you have to encourage the processing industry and Maggi is a part of it. If there is some problem one has to tell them to take correct steps but banning is not the answer. It’s a good thing the judiciary has taken a sensible view and I hope those who have banned will try to understand. I liked the fact that the minister for food processing has welcomed the court decision. That’s a good thing but as a minister she should control these elements trying to obstruct the setting up of the processing industry.

But the government has filed a class action suit for ̀ 680 croresThat’s why I am saying the minister should act.

What is your opinion on people with RSS background appointed to various bodies?The government is totally controlled by the RSS. They will appoint their people everywhere. Mr Modi has to take instruc-tions from Nagpur and whatever Nagpur says he will do. One has to digest that. I am from Maharashtra and the RSS headquarter is here, so I know a little about it. (laughs).

Your view on SC panel on the IPL...It’s sub-judice and I don’t want to invite a notice from SC. But it’s a good thing that SC has all the time to study cricket. Tomorrow they can give direction to Kabaddi also.

What are your thoughts on MIM’s foray outside Hyderabad?Owaisi has a strong base in Hyderabad but I think he will succeed in dividing voters and weaken secular forces.

Is rise of MIM dangerous for India?I don’t think there is anything like that. The only question is if he is serious about build-ing his party or trying to divide votes and if it’s a strategy implemented with someone else’s support?

Is that someone the BJP?I cannot say that. You have to ask him (smiles). Mine is a national party recognised by the Election Commission but I have no capacity to put many candidates in Bihar. It’s not easy. Unless someone supports MIM, it cannot do that.

Farmers & Corporates Upset, Govt Looks Only Pro-Sadhus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should talk with the Opposition to ensure Parliament functions, says NCP leader Sharad Pawar. The veteran politician, who spoke on a wide-

range of issues to Rohini Singh and Krishna Kumar, said that neither corporates nor farmers were happy with the government. The Maggi ban, for instance, was

symptomatic of the government’s functioning. Excerpts:

SHARAD PAWARPresident, Nationalist Congress Party

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

There was bitterness at the time of Emergency. But today it has gone to the highest level

EMERGENCY

While I have not discussed anything with the Congress, I know after spending so many years in the party that it won’t go to the extent of allowing washout of a session

AGAINST WASHOUT

The only question is if Owaisi is serious about building his party or trying to divide votes and if it’s a strategy implemented with someone else’s support?

RISE OF OWAISI

Rahul is improving. If he continues like this for the next few years then he will definitely be much better

AGGRESSIVE RAHUL

4 �THE ECONOMIC TIMES | NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY | 19 AUGUST 2015 *The Sharad Pawar Interview