DINKER VASHISHT: How do you justify your recent demand for states to receive a greater share of Central taxes?

The Constitution gave us a federal system. The powers were divided between the Centre and the states. But over the years, the same party ruled at the Centre and in the states. It tried to centralise power and gradually, the powers of the states was reduced. Now we have to go like beggars to the Centre for everything—whether it is for building roads or for getting estimates approved. We are reduced to glorified municipalities. While there is talk of decentralising power, the actions of the Centre do not match this. For instance, in the case of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the Central government says a specific amount should be given as wages. While the residents of Bihar may be willing to work for Rs 50, this is not the case with Punjab. The states should be taken into confidence before launching programmes or else, these will never be successful. Even the criteria for defining Below Poverty Line (BPL) families are not practical. They state that those who have a cycle, a fan, a radio are not considered BPL. These criteria are not justified for our state.

GAUTAM DHEER: How has Punjab been hit by any of the Central measures?

Ministers at the Centre tend to ensure that their own constituencies benefit from their position. When Lalu Yadav was Railways Minister, he started a large number of trains for Bihar. Punjab has been neglected by the Centre for years. It was the Congress that planned the reorganisation of states. It was felt that people with one culture and language should be together. While Punjab’s case was the strongest, its demand was refused. Later when the state was re-organised in 1966, it was not allowed to retain its capital city unlike other similar cases where the parent state was allowed to retain its capital. The treatment given to us is not the same as other states. This is why there have been numerous agitations in the state. Punjab has been a front-runner in defence, food production and the Independence struggle. We should have been given special treatment.

CHARANJIT AHUJA: Punjab is considered the food basket of the country. But over the years, there have been problems. Have you demanded an increase in compensation

per acre?

Shortage of food was a major problem facing the country. Punjab and Haryana solved it. But while the country progressed, Punjab suffered. The expenditure on inputs has increased. The returns have gone down and we are not being compensated. When it comes to industry, the neighbouring states have been given numerous concessions. We are in no position to compete with them.

GAUTAM DHEER: Do you think that in the last few years, a space has been created for the re-entry of radical elements in Punjab—people come out brandishing swords at the slightest provocation?

In the aftermath of the unfortunate incident at Vienna where a leader of the Dera Sachkhand was killed, there was violence in several parts of the state. Who was behind that? Who initiated the unrest? Who benefited? The answers are obvious. A thorough investigation into who caused militancy in the state should be conducted. Then the role of Congress will be clear.

MUKESH BHARDWAJ: What about the militancy that had gripped the state? Do you think that too was a creation of the

Congress?

We have said so many times. Let me tell you about a meeting we had with then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, when militancy was at an early stage. The meeting was held in Delhi. She kept sitting, angry and uncommunicative. Even basic courtesies were not observed. We asked her to constitute a legislative committee to consider our demands but she did not agree to that. We requested that the kirpan be allowed on flights as it was only a religious symbol. However, she was very inflexible and did not accede to any of our demands. In politics, you have to pay for even small mistakes. Look at Rajiv Gandhi. There was no need for him to interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

SUKHDEEP KAUR: Do you feel that making Sukhbir Badal the deputy chief minister was a move that reflected lack of planning since he couldn’t be elected within the stipulated six months?

As you know, Sukhbir has resigned from the post. By-elections are being held next month and he will contest from one of the three constituencies.

NITIN JAIN: Will the post of Deputy CM be filled or will it be kept vacant for him?

I cannot say anything about that at the moment.

RAJNI SHALEEN CHOPRA: When do you see Sukhbir becoming CM?

It all depends on destiny. He will become chief minister if and when he is destined to do so.

JAGMEETA THIND JOY: Now your daughter-in-law Harsimrat has also joined politics. What was the thinking behind that?

Harsimrat did not want to join politics. But Amarinder Singh (Congress) kept challenging us publicly, saying someone from the Badal family should contest against his son from Bathinda. Apart from Harsimrat, all of us had prior commitments. But we could not have run away as one should not show weakness in politics. Ultimately, we defeated Amarinder’s son by more than a lakh votes.

MUKESH BHARDWAJ: People blame you for propagating dynastic politics.

The party that accuses me of dynastic politics is the one that is led by a dynasty. When an advocate’s son can be an advocate, why can’t a politician’s son become a politician? My younger brother is also in politics. We had not wanted our sons Sukhbir and Manpreet to join politics. However, the circumstances were such that both gradually had to join politics—and now, perhaps, they have developed a taste for it.

HARPREET BAJWA: What do you have to say about the recent incidents in which Akali workers were involved in abusing a BJP minister and beating up a senior official? 

We are not shielding anyone. The guilty will be punished and the innocent will be let off. However, the Congress allegation that they were being harassed is untenable. In the last two and a half years, we have not harassed any Congress workers. It was the Congress government that targetted Akali workers. It was all started by Amarinder Singh. Before that, the Opposition and ruling party leaders used to share a good equation. 

RAGHAV OHRI: What about cases against Amarinder Singh and former Punjab DGP S S Virk?

There is no vendetta. The case against Amarinder is only a follow up of his own government’s recommendations for a detailed probe into the Ludhiana City Centre case.   

VARUN CHADHA: The Liberhan report on the Babri Masjid demolition, which was submitted last week, may not be good news for the BJP. What are your views on this since the BJP is your alliance partner? 

I cannot comment on the report. We have good relations with the BJP. I do not interfere in their internal politics. The relation that our party has with the BJP is not one that can be made and broken every day. We are like a family where there may be minor altercations. Till I am at the helm of affairs, we will remain together. 

RAJNI SHALEEN CHOPRA: What is your formula for de-stressing? 

I do not get stressed. I have seen the worst life a man can see when I was in jail. I lived in a small cubicle and I never imagined I would get out. There was no state where the Congress did not keep me locked up. One month after my marriage, I was sent to jail. I was in jail during my daughter’s wedding too. The Nehru-Gandhi family was vindictive towards me. They thought that if my family is crushed, the Shiromani Akali Dal would come to an end. 

Vipin Pubby: Do you think that family continues to be vindictive towards you? 

No, I cannot state an untruth. The younger generation has not been vindictive towards us. 

SWARLEEN KAUR: Does Punjab have sufficient funds to fulfill the recommendations of the Pay Commission? 

We have to do it. We have said that at least 50 per cent of the share of Central taxes be given to the state. At present, it is about 30 per cent. Punjab incurred maximum debt during the days of terrorism. The Centre put a lot of burden on the state. When the I.K. Gujral government was at the Centre, I asked him for a waiver of this debt as terrorism is a national calamity. It was only then that the debt was waived.

HARPREET BAJWA: What do you rate as your main achievements during your two-and-a-half year rule? 

Two and a half years is not a long time in the life of a government. We inherited a debt of Rs 35,000 crore from the previous government. There were a number of other shortcomings. But we have made tremendous progress in various areas, including infrastructure, education, etc. When we took over, power generation was 30-35 per cent short of what was required. We announced four thermal plants, for which the formalities for three are complete. Land has been allotted and companies have been selected. New international airports are being started. One is coming up in Mohali and the other in Ludhiana which is a private airport. Four-laning of roads has been done. We have got two new universities for the state—in Amritsar and Bathinda. Around 15 new colleges are being started. We will be recruiting 25,000 new teachers. The infrastructure of schools is being upgraded. Adarsh Schools are being set up especially in rural areas.

JYOTSANA JALALI: Why is Punjab against granting central university status to Panjab University?

We have not given up our claim to Chandigarh, how can we give up our claim to the university? Politics is such that one wrong step can land you in difficulty. If we give up our claims to Panjab University, we will be asked to give up Chandigarh too. There are other universities in Punjab, including GNDU, Punjabi University, Punjab Agricultural University, etc. These are functioning fine with the funds we provide. Panjab University should not have much of a problem. 

JASNEET BINDRA: What is the concept behind your pet Adarsh Schools project and why are corporate houses not coming forward to fund it?

Adarsh Schools are proposed for bright students whose parents cannot afford quality education for them. At least one such school will be set up in each district with the help of corporate houses. Free education, including free uniforms, books and meals, will be provided to all students. Some corporate houses have come out to join us in the venture. But one such school in each district may not be enough. Every student should enjoy equal opportunity. Otherwise they cannot compete.   

KHUSHBOO SANDHU: Tell us something about your journey from being a village sarpanch to being the chief minister.

I was reluctant to enter politics but things kept happening. When people proposed that I become the sarpanch, I showed reluctance but I really wanted to be one. Then I moved on to become the youngest MLA and then the youngest Chief Minister in the country. Now I am the oldest.

ANEESHA SAREEN: What is being done to tackle the problem of drugs in the state?

The menace of drugs is huge. We are reserving beds in hospitals especially for those affected. De-addiction centres are being opened. Drugs are easily and legally available at the Rajasthan border. These are smuggled into Punjab. Steps should be taken to ban the sale of drugs in neighbouring states too.

(Transcribed by Khushboo Sandhu)