Union Minister for Railways and Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar must have heaved a sigh of relief when the Women's Reservation Bill was put in cold storage. Though a partner of the ruling coalition at the Centre, his party supports the Opposition line of a quota within the quota for OBCs. The temporary disappearance of the Bill from Parliament saves his party the embarrassment of opposing its own government. SHIVANATH JHA spoke to Nitish Kumar at length about the Bill and other political issues. Excerpts: Your party has differed with the Government on the Women's Reservation Bill. What will be the Samta Party's stand if the Government refuses to concede your demand of inclusion of a quota for the OBCs?
We are not against the Women's Reservation Bill but we are not ready to accept it in its present form. We want the inclusion of a provision for the OBCs in the Bill. If the Government is all set to amend the Constitution to provide reservation to women in Parliamentand the state Assemblies, it must earmark a certain percentage, say 30 per cent or 33 per cent, for OBC women on the basis of their population and make a suitable clause in the Constitution. If the Government wants, anything can be done. I hope the Prime Minister will realise the gravity of the situation and will incorporate it (the OBC quota in the Bill).
Now that Jharkhand is about to be formed, what are your views on the issue? Will the formation of a new state affect the rest of Bihar?
I am not against the creation of separate state for the tribal people. But my point is, before taking any such decision, the Centre must enter into an agreement with Nepal for the construction of high-altitude dams on the Ganga and evolve a fresh formula on Ganga water sharing with Bangladesh.
The Centre must ensure that interests of about seven crore people of central and north Bihar districts are protected. If it fails to evolve suitable measures and an economic package, no one can stop them (the peopleof north and central Bihar) from launching militant operations to protect their rights.
If it happens (if the Centre fails to evolve an economic package), about 60 per cent to 70 per cent revenue will go to the Vananchal region while 75 per cent of establishment expenditure liability will go to the rest of the State throwing seven crore people on the verge of starvation. Similarly, 45 per cent area with 25 per cent population will go to the Vananchal region while 55 per cent area with 75 per cent of the population will go to the rest of the State. The demands are in active consideration of the Centre and the Government has also set up a cabinet sub-committee to examine the matter. I hope the Centre will not do injustice to the people of north and central Bihar.
Your detractors allege that your party has been soft-pedalling the issue of dismissal of the Rabri Devi government after coming to power at the Centre.
I have been in favour of dismissal of the Government. There is hardly any law andorder in the state. The whole state is under fear psychosis. The whole administrative machinery is getting protection from Rabri Devi and her husband Laloo Prasad Yadav to create a reign of terror. But what we can do? Tell me. Do you think my party alone can force the Centre to dismiss the Bihar government?
Your party is part of the Government...
It is true that my party is in favour of dismissal of Rabri Devi government. But is also true that we have never demanded imposition of Article 356 in the State. Our views were misinterpreted in the media. Why should I ask the Centre to impose Article 356? It is the responsibility of the Centre to get legal opinions and find out ways.
Being an elected member, it is my duty to save the interest of the people of the state but at the same time, it is also my responsibility to protect the BJP-led coalition Government at Centre. I just can't rule out the possibility of political turmoil in two other states, if the Centre uses Article 356 in Bihar.However, I have always told the Prime Minister under the prevailing situation, the Bihar government is a fit case for dismissal. Now the ball is in the PM's court.
What are the Centre's options?
Being a minister I don't want to elaborate them. But to my knowledge, the Centre has enough options. Everyone talks about using Article 356 but there is fine distinction between demanding it and making statements in the press to get political mileage. If the political parties genuinely want imposition of Central rule, they should give a representation to the President. Everyone is playing politics. Who does not know Bihar is in a bad shape? Doesn't the Central Government know? The use of Article 356 needs Parliament's endorsement. Since we (the BJP and its allies) do not have the requisite numbers in the Rajya Sabha, we just can't take such decision. However, the problem is under active consideration of the Centre and I hope that it will take an appropriate action on appropriate time.
So, theCentre is playing a hide-and-seek game.
No. It has adopted a wait-and-watch policy. Let the time come, the game of the Laloo-Rabri government will be over.
Your Bihar unit isn't exactly in good shape. People say you put Raghunath Jha in charge who until recently was with Laloo...
It was not my personal decision to appoint Jha as state party chief but the party's. Vested interests are trying to tarnish our image by calling him opportunist. He is a good grass-roots worker, has dynamism and he will certainly improve the party's position in the State.
Some say with so many dissenting voices, a split is just a matter of time.
I don't fear any split in the party. But if someone decides to go, I will not stop him. They all have a democratic right to raise their voice.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
