•Shekhar Gupta: When you addressed politicians with your vision, was there ever any conflict?

Yes, when I touched the political side. For example, when I suggested in Parliament that we need a two-party system, there was a lot of criticism. It is all part of the game. That is democracy and that is how we survive.

•Shekhar Gupta: Did any politician ever tell you this is the business of politics and that you are an oddball?

No, they were very comfortable with me. Somehow it clicked because I had no axe to grind. When I say I have a vision for the development of the nation and its rural areas, who can say no? Can you find one politician who can say that development is not necessary for the country? He will not get votes if he does.

•Vandita Mishra: In the run up to these elections, there is a general perception that regional parties are driving a hard bargain and that national parties have lost ground. Do you have a prediction for this election?

This is the era of coalition politics, whether you like it or not. I had promoted the two-party system. But the coalition system is what has emerged. A new situation may emerge. We may have a coalition in the state and a coalition at the Centre and the two coalitions may become two important political parties -- like groupings. Like-minded people come together -- even if the ideologies are different, they come together for power or to make the nation prosperous. If you have well developed minds, then a good political system may emerge where you have a two-party system. If you look at the country’s economic record, economic prosperity happened when coalition governments were in power. That means we should all work for two-party system.

... contd.