Disinvestment not a dirty word, what I’m seeking is a review

I replied with an emphatic ‘‘No’’ and explained why. Thereafter, he put the question, whether I would put China as threat No. 1, to which also I said ‘‘No’’, but added that if at all China has to be categorised, it can be said that China is Potential Threat No. 1. This had been put totally out of context and the campaign continued that I described China as Enemy No. 1.

China is a power to reckon with, there is no reason why we should not fortify our defence for any eventuality. China is growing as an economic giant and we could learn from them. Security concerns and learning from their economic development can go hand in hand.

However, we should always remember that we had a conflict with China in 1962, and the issues of our border with China and territory have not been fully resolved. We are continuing our efforts to improve relations with China.

Why can’t you and your party take a principled stand against the recent electoral reforms bill?

My party has always been against criminalisation of politics and corruption…If India has to grow and reach anywhere on the world map, corruption must go. Politics must be able to provide a clear direction in this matter. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be happening.

However, I shall continue to fight against it in spite of all such forces unleashing a vicious campaign against me to ensure that I do not take up these issues.

Your views on disinvestment are not only hurting the country’s growth opportunities but also sending wrong signals to investors outside.

Whoever said I was opposed to disinvestment? I was a part of the core group that decided to go in for disinvestment. It is a favourite pastime of some to continue saying that George Fernandes is against disinvestment…

All that I am saying is that as far as the core sector is concerned, we should look at the Disinvestment Commission’s recommendations which forms the basis of the entire process. And we need to seriously debate if the solution lies in replacing one monopoly with another.

All that I have asked for is a review to evaluate what we have achieved so far and where do we go from here and how. Disinvestment is not a dirty word — it is essential, but we should constantly monitor how are we doing it and how are we utilising its money.

Why should India not attack the PoK to finish the problem in J-K?

We have pursued the dual strategy of diplomacy and showing our military might to pressure Pakistan into closing down camps in PoK. War is not the best thing for a country nor is it the solution to such problems…However, let me assure the nation that India is prepared to take any action that time would demand in order to protect its boundaries and its people.

How can you still assure us that we are safe when we can’t even prevent MiG crashes?

We need to find a solution — although accidents are accidents, and may still continue — but we must find ways and means to ensure that no accident takes place…I am told by the IAF that these are excellent aircrafts, but very demanding and this seems to be one of the causes for accidents.

We will be phasing out the first lot of MiGs this year. We are getting other aircrafts into our inventory. We hope the situation will improve.

Why are you silent about communal atrocities and the VHP?

The work of my ministry is my prime concern. However, all issues facing the nation are as much my concern…If there was anyone who stood against communal violence today or in yesteryears, it has been me. Be it Gujarat or Orissa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar or Uttar Pradesh, I have been there.

How can a socalist like you and a Jan Sanghi co-exist?

I have been a socialist and will die as one. I haven’t compromised with the principles and values I have been committed to as a socialist. Lohia and JP were my political mentors. In the course of their political campaigns and activities, both made common cause with the Jan Sangh.

They did not accept their ideology but in larger national interests chose to enter into an alliance with the Jan Sangh. I am walking on these great socialists’ path.

Why haven’t the AJTs still been purchased? You once said someone is stopping you from purchasing them, but you don’t know who?

The AJT story started in 1982 and it is indeed unfortunate that we haven’t yet acquired it. I have taken steps to ensure that we make some headway and something that has already taken 20 years be concluded soon. There are many who would say that fighter trainers are crashing because we have no AJT (though there may really be no corelation).

These crashes began in 1971 but very little or no attention was paid to AJT. It is now that we are trying to procure it and perhaps because of the emphasis that I have laid on this procurement that others have started talking about it. The delay is not because of any lack of will but because of the insistence on going through a process that ensures that the country has an AJT that is the best available.