`Having another viewpoint doesn’t imply a power struggle’

It is speculated that you are raising the issue of daily wagers only because many of them are from your constituency. And, that you are actually engaged in a struggle for leadership with Singh.
I have not necessarily agreed with all of Digvijay’s decisions since he became CM. Having another point of view does not necessarily mean there is any sort of struggle, least of all for power. On the other hand, while a large number of people disagree with Singh on his district government (Zilla Sarkar) policy, I strongly support it. And I don’t think the issue of daily wagers has anything to do with my constituency. They are spread all over the state and my views are in keeping with principle, not with where they come from.

There is also the view that you have aligned with Arjun Singh to target the chief minister of your state and your party.
I have always had the best of relations with Arjun Singh for whom I have great respect… the same goes for Digvijay Singh. I never isolated myself from Arjun Singh, so where is the question of realignment? In any case, I believe in the politics of alignment.

What about the charge that since you were not accommodated at the All India Congress Committee level in the recent reshuffle, you have set your eyes on the Madhya Pradesh CM’s chair?
I have been busy at the Centre both as an MP and a Congress worker. Where is the question of eyeing the CM’s chair, there is no vacancy in the state.n Wasn’t your recent rally at Dhar a show of strength and a signal to Singh?The rally was a show of strength for the Congress party; there was nothing personal in it. The issues raised by me concern the future of the party in the state and not that of any individual.

What do you make of recent statements by several senior leaders calling for an introspection on the dwindling fortunes of the Congress?
There is no harm in introspection; it must be continuous. But it must be done at all levels, by party workers, state leaders and the central leadership.

After the poor performance of the Congress in last year’s Lok Sabha elections, you had advocated a “generational change” in the party leadership. Has your voice got lost in the wilderness?
Unfortunately, my suggestion for a generational change and induction of younger leaders in the party hierarchy was not accepted although it was widely supported all over. I feel this should be an item on the introspection agenda.

What do you make of the extensive cross-voting by Congress MLAs in West Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh? Does it not reflect an erosion of the high command’s authority, particularly that of party chief Sonia Gandhi?
Cross-voting has taken place not only in the Congress but also in other major parties. It is a concern, not a calamity. An inquiry is underway into the causes and the facts will soon come out. However, I don’t think this reflects a weakening of the Congress president’s authority. Whenever intra-party issues have been involved, the focus of dissent has generally been the local leadership. You can see this happening in Delhi.

You are part of the AICC observers’ team studying the situation in West Bengal. What is your brief?
The team’s task is to make an overall assessment of the party’s situation in the state after interacting with MLAs and leaders. It will also include the Mahajot issue. While on the Mahajot, one thing is clear: there is no question of a tie-up which strengthens the BJP. The Majahot of the Congress has been and will be against the BJP.

Do you apprehend a serious threat to Sonia Gandhi’s leadership in the coming months?
There is and will be no threat to her leadership. In any case, why should there be one?