Wait till May 16…we will do well in Andhra,Tamil Nadu

Better wait till May 16. Exit polls create artificial excitement with various agencies making different predictions. It is only to inflate the TRPs of television channels. We are sure that the Congress will be the single largest party and will form the government under Dr Manmohan Singh.

•What makes you so confident?

Our own internal assessment based on feedback from our state units. We are quite sure we will do very well in Andhra Pradesh where people have written us off. Our alliance in Tamil Nadu is also evenly balanced. Between the two alliances (DMK-led and AIADMK-led) ours will do better. We are improving our existing tallies in most of the states. On the other hand,we dont see the BJP increasing its seats,except in Bihar,Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Is the Congress concerned about Sharad Pawars Prime Ministerial ambitions?

Not at all. Pawar is realistic enough. He had made it clear that his party is contesting only 40-45 seats. He has clarified there is no possibility (of staking claim for Prime Ministership).

•Are you ready to reach out to the Left in case of a fractured verdict,as predicted by exit polls?

After May 16,we will see whether Lefts support is required. In a hypothetical scenario,if we require their support,we will take a call on this with our allies.

•But the Left has reservation against your Prime Ministerial candidate?

I dont think any alliance partner can dictate our choice of Prime Minister.

•The Congress says it has no aversion to forming an alliance with any party other than the BJP and the Shiv Sena. Your party is making overtures to the JD(U),the AIADMK and the

BSP,even though you are their main political adversary in states. How do you reconcile these contradictions?

Wherever we have a strong presence in states or have a strong pre-poll alliance partner,any decision to go with another party will be taken in consultations with the respective state units. For instance,in 1999 we had a bitter fight with the NCP,but we came together because local unit agreed to this to keep communal forces out of power.

•What do you say about the BJPs allegation about the government sending forged documents to Swiss authorities regarding Hasan Ali Khans unauthorised dealings?

That is totally incorrect. The BJP is weakening the governments resolve to get facts from Swiss authorities. The day the German Government made it public that some names were available,the Government of India took it up with them. The German Government gave names of Swiss accounts. Income-Tax authorities have filed cases amounting to tens of thousands of crores and made huge income-tax demands. The BJP is unnecessarily creating doubts in the international community. That will make our job difficult.

•Did the revelation about the CBIs decision to withdraw Interpol Red Corner Notice against Ottavio Quattrochchi hurt the party in the election?

The Prime Minister has made it very clear that it was a considered decision. Legal advice at the highest level was obtained.