• SHEKHAR GUPTA: You are the busiest minister in the present government. Apart from your ministerial work, you head 53 GoMs (Group of Ministers). Would you begin by saying something about your many assignments?

Of those 53 GoMs, 33 have completed their work. This government has used GoMs extensively. In coalition governments, it is better to have a small group for intensive discussions, who then make recommendations.

This has been a new experience for us — never before have we been in a coalition. In the past, coalitions have been used to defeat the Congress. Now, we have to work with political parties that have anti-Congress roots. When we started out, I had many doubts if this would work, but somehow we have managed to carry our partners. One lesson we have learnt is that you have to adhere to the Common Minimum Programme, you cannot follow your own policies.

• SHEKHAR GUPTA: How do you perceive the role of the media in this political scenario?

Earlier, there were news reports. Now it is called a ‘story’. There seems to be an element of imagination involved here!

• SHISHIR GUPTA: Last week, the media carried a number of defining images — a regional party leader, Mayawati, was given sweets by an officer on her birthday; Sonia Gandhi and L.K. Advani smiled at each other; and then there was Nano. How do these reflect the future of India?

The images reflect a mature democracy in which two opposing leaders smile at each other. The Nano is the reflection of a progressive India.

... contd.