Asked about the truce with the dissidents, he said, “When there is no fire, where is the ceasefire. I will remove their doubts. I will improve my functioning and do the right things. This is a two-way traffic.”

Responding to the complaints about his style of functioning, the Chief Minister said that his style of working is influenced by his Army background. “I put the good things learnt in the Army to use. But the atmosphere is different outside and the same style of functioning is not the same everywhere. I try to work accordingly.”

On the issue of bureaucrats calling the shots and his staff making him inaccessible to his legislators, Khanduri claimed, “I agree that there are shortcomings in the working of the bureaucrats which are being improved. As regards the question of my staff, we will talk and decide upon the matter. I have no hitch in overcoming my short comings.”

When asked what kind of action he will take against the dissidents, his reply was, “I do not go by injunctions. It is for the party to decide upon matters of discipline.”