4  The Sharad Pawar Interview

EXCLUSIVE Q&A

THE ECONOMIC TIMES | NEW DELHI | WEDNESDAY | 19 AUGUST 2015 *

SHARAD PAWAR

President, Nationalist Congress Party

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 widerange 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 governments functioning. Excerpts:

ow do you rate the Modi

government?
Its hardly been a little more
than a year and its too
early. Even if Modi is losing
sheen, there has to be an
alternative. I dont 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 dont 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 doesnt have a personal
rapport with Opposition leaders?
It is Modis responsibility to take the initiative. 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 insisting on Sushma Swarajs resignation because 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 wasnt one action. After observing
whats 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 entered the well of the House. But the way the
honourable Speaker treated the Opposition
and her bias, vis--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

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.

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

on the land bill a defeat for it?
I dont think so. The committee is headed by
a BJP MP and government has a majority in
the committee. But the chairman of the committee allowed inputs from all MPs. Thats
how most suggestions from the Opposition
was accepted and incorporated.

Will the BJPs 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 BJPs charge that Rahul Gandhi is too obstinate?
Then discuss it with Sonia, the president of
the Congress!

While I have not discussed

anything with the
Congress, I know after
spending so many years in
the party that it wont go
to the extent of allowing
washout of a session

Do the Gandhis and Modi personally

dislike each other?
It is not a question of Sonia, Sharad Pawar
or Ghulam Nabi Azad. Its 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 dont think it was in good taste.
And Rahuls 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

So you disagree on the ease of doing

business?
I will be happy if it happens but I dont see it.
And, if I dont see investments in Maharashtra, then where is the question of investments in other states?

Did you say this kind of breakdown of relations 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 todays 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 relationship 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.

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 dont 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

The only question is if

Owaisi is serious about
building his party or
trying to divide votes and
if its a strategy
implemented with
someone elses support?
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 government. They are not getting better price
for a single crop. I have looked after agriculture for the last ten years and India has
been the largest exporter of rice, secondlargest 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 sectors situation is also not
good. I dont know pro-who this government
is. Maybe, sadhus and sanyasis.
Do you think fringe elements are alienating 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 dont think
that is correct.
Do you think these statements are making minorities wary?
Why only minorities? People like me also.
Sensible people are worried.
Should the government reach out to minorities more?
No one expects this government to do
anything for minorities.

in Singapore, London, USA. I dont 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 infrastructure is insufficient for the processing
industry and thats 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.
Its 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. Thats
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 crores
Thats 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 instructions 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...
Its sub-judice and I dont want to invite a
notice from SC. But its 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 MIMs foray
outside Hyderabad?
Owaisi has a strong base in Hyderabad but I
think he will succeed in dividing voters and
weaken secular forces.

Is there no one for that role now?

We cannot compare. Pranab became the
President. It speaks for his stature and experience. Venkaiah Naidu is a good man but he
is a first time Lok Sabha member.

Is rise of MIM dangerous for India?

I dont think there is anything like that. The
only question is if he is serious about building his party or trying to divide votes and if
its a strategy implemented with someone
elses support?

But is Naidu empowered to take decisions?

I dont know (laughs). It looks like you people 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.

What do you think of the beef ban?

It is a foolish decision of the state government. 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.

RISE OF OWAISI

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 provisions but not the bill as a whole.

AGAINST WASHOUT

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.

Is India Inc upset with government?

Even in a state like Maharashtra, the investment 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. Thats why we dont see
substantial investment or development.
Yesterday, I was watching the PMs speech,
where he mentioned thousands of crores of
investments. I dont know who will invest.
Hardworking people from the Gulf are
sending remittances but they are not big
businessmen who can build oil refineries, 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.

Do you think there has been increase in

social tensions?
The numbers of incidents are more but I
wont jump to that conclusion.

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

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. Its not easy.
Unless someone supports MIM, it
cannot do that.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES