NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has questioned
Congress president Sonia Gandhi's commitment to the cause of Dalits,
and said her party opposed ratification of President's rule in Bihar
merely to ``embarrass'' his government.
In an interview to a weekly, Mr Vajpayee said:``Yes, I had expected
the Congress to stand by the people of Bihar, especially the
brutalised Dalits of the state. Instead, the Congress chose to
stand by the discredited regime of Rabri Devi. So much for the
Congress president's professed concern for Dalits and her assertion
that the Rabri Devi government has no moral right to remain in
power.''
Mr Vajpayee added that ``the issue was not one of parliamentary
arithmetic. It was a moral issue, not political''.
In reply to a question, he said the Lok Sabha is the House of the
people and the Centre's action (imposition of President's rule) was
approved by it. ``Had it not been for the Congress refusing to act
in the interest of Dalits merely to embarrass us, we could have
secured the Rajya Sabha's approval too.''
Mr Vajpayee said:``The Congress is free to think that they have
embarrassed us. The truth is they let down the Dalits of Bihar.
They stand exposed for putting political opportunism above
morality.''
In reply to a question about the real danger from the Congress, Mr
Vajpayee said as the main opposition party, the Congress' job was to
oppose the government. ``I only wish this opposition is healthy and
not dictated by petty, partisan considerations. Yet, my government
does not depend on the Congress mercy. We are here on our own
strength.''
He dismissed the suggestion that he was going out of the way to
humour Ms Sonia Gandhi. Being the leader of the Congress
Parliamentary Party, the government ``does discuss issues with her
on certain occasions. This is part of our democratic tradition'',
he pointed out.
Asked whether there was any threat to his government from its
allies, the Prime Minister said: ``I don't see any danger in
coalition politics. I see opportunities. What you describe as
pulls and pressures are in reality the articulation of the interests
of our allies.''
Asked about his relations with Union home minister L K Advani, Mr
Vajpayee said they consulted each other every day. ``Like a record
stuck in a groove. One more time. Let me say there is no problem.
When there is, I will let you know.''