•Gautam Dheer: Your recent experiences in the Congress have not been very happy. Would you consider a career outside the party?

Amarinder Singh: The thought of leaving the party will never cross my mind. I had a close relationship with Rajiv Gandhi and subsequently, with Sonia Gandhi. She has been very kind to me — she allowed me five years as president of Punjab Congress and then five years as chief minister. As for my current concerns, I have conveyed it to the party leadership. So, let us give them some time. No action can be taken abruptly. Also, the Government is very busy with the nuclear deal issue.

•Manraj Grewal: Should the Prime Minister persist with the nuclear deal?

Amarinder Singh: I am all for it. We are facing a severe energy crisis. The other alternatives aren’t that effective. Look at Punjab. Despite abundant rainfall, the state is facing power shortages. The gestation period in other projects is inordinately long. The same goes for thermal plants. To produce approximately 500 MW in Punjab, we spend close to Rs 3,800 crore and we are fetching coal from far-off places. The nuclear deal is in our favour. We seem to have got better terms than what even China managed to get. The Prime Minister should go ahead with it.

•Harpreet Bajwa: You are so enthusiastic about nuclear power now, but while you were chief minister you were categorical that Punjab should never have a nuclear power plant.

... contd.