•VANDITA MISHRA: You have spoken about the decline of Parliament. One of the reasons for this is the feeling that regional parties are unwilling, or unable, to take a national view and responsibility. As a former prime minister and one who presides over a regional party, what is your view?

Problems were created by single-party rule for 36 years. We have seen how each state suffered on account of discrimination and step-motherly treatment. Now we need to ask: why is it the party that claims to have brought Independence and has a history of 130 years has lost its base? Why have the people lost confidence in this party that brought them Independence? How have regional parties gained ground?

This much is clear: you cannot bring back one-party rule — that stage is over in this country, be it for the Congress or the BJP. While addressing the Telangana agitators recently, the BJP’s prime minister designate, L.K. Advani, said his party was searching for major regional partners. So times have changed.

As for regional parties not taking a national view, I ran a coalition government for 13 months. Was there any regional conflict during my period? Were there any communal tensions? Did I not solve vexatious issues such as the sharing of the Ganga waters?

•VARGHESE K. GEORGE: A great deal has been written about your belief in astrology. Can you share some of your thoughts on that subject?

My father got my astrological chart written up 74 years ago. This was because my father’s first wife and his three children died in one week. I was his first son from his second wife and he was worried about my life. People suggested he consult a local astrologer and he was the one to write my birth chart.

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