India's National Magazine
From the publishers of THE HINDU

Vol. 15 :: No. 25 :: Dec. 05 - 18, 1998

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COVER STORY

'A lesson for all parties'

Interview with A.K. Antony.

It is acknowledged within the Congress(I) hierarchy that Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony played a meaningful part in paving the way for the party's victory in Madhya Pradesh. As chairman of the candidate selection committee for the State, Antony reportedly opposed giving the ticket to persons with a questionable record. Consequently, fresh contestants were nominated in as many as 70 seats. In this interview to Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, the former Chief Minister of Kerala gives his assessment of the overall election results as also the Congress(I)'s plans for the future. Excerpts:

How do you evaluate the Congress(I)'s resurgence?

Various factors have contributed to this revival. First, the strong anti-BJP Government sentiment all over the country. The Atal Behari Vajpayee Government came to office raising great expectations among the people. However, the Government is perceived to be a failure in the background of the unprecedented price rise, economic collapse and social tensions. Second, the failures of the BJP and the earlier United Front governments have made the people realise that the Congress(I) is suited best for governance. Third, the party's efforts to correct some of the mistakes of the past and the return of various social groups such as Dalits, minorities and Sikhs to the party fold as a result of these corrective measures. Fourth, a conscious attempt on the part of the party leadership to field candidates with a clean record. Finally, the confidence that the leadership of Soniaji has instilled in party workers and the credibility that the party has with the people. It is the cumulative impact of all these factors that led to our spectacular victories.

Leaders of the BJP have said that the Congress(I) won on the strength of a negative vote and that this is no endorsement of the Congress(I)'s policies.

I do not think that this is entirely correct. A combination of both positive and negative vote has helped us score the electoral gains. If it was just the negative vote based on the anti-incumbency factor, how can you explain the return of the Congress(I) in Madhya Pradesh? The fact is that the Government there did some good work and the people acknowledged it.

You said that corrective measures have brought back several social groups back to the party. Do you mean the series of apologies on the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the anti-Sikh riots?

All that and the effort to create a clean, new image for the party helped end the alienation of various social groups.

C. RATHEESH KUMAR

But many Congress(I) leaders themselves are not satisfied with these initiatives. A senior leader like S.S. Ahluwalia has termed Sonia Gandhi's apology for the anti-Sikh riots an eyewash. Again, notwithstanding your claim about fielding clean candidates, there are reports that many persons with criminal records have become Congress(I) MLAs. Some of those who have won the elections are reported to have links with Romesh Sharma...

Ahluwalia might have reservations about Soniaji's initiatives but the important thing is that the community to which it was addressed has accepted it. The results in the Sikh-dominated constituencies speak for themselves.

Coming to the question on criminal elements having won on the Congress(I) ticket, I never said that the cleansing procedure was a complete success. There could have been limitations and failures in ensuring that the list of candidates is thoroughly clean, but what is notable is that the party has made a beginning in this direction. I can say with authority that the Congress(I) is the only party that has started a process like this.

But how can you ensure good governance with people of questionable credentials present in the Assembly and also probably in the State governments that will be formed?

The party leadership realises that giving good and beneficial government to the people is not an easy task. That is why Soniaji herself has observed that party activists should not go overboard with celebrations and asked them to be aware of the great responsibility that the people have given us. The people voted against the Congress(I) almost with a vengeance eight months ago. They have given the same treatment to the BJP now. There is a lesson in this for all parties: do not take the Indian electorate for granted.

Sonia Gandhi said that there would be no effort to bring down the Vajpayee Government. The CWC has decided not to move a no-confidence motion against the Government in Parliament. Is this not a rejection of the people's trust?

The Congress(I) has been maligned for long as a party that is incapable of surviving out of power. Toppling the present Government would only strengthen that image and go against the principles of mature democracy that the present party leadership is striving to create in our political system as well as within our party. However, as Soniaji has pointed out repeatedly, the Congress(I) will not be found wanting in carrying out its responsibilities if the Government falls on its own owing to internal contradictions.