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The Rajesh Pilot Chat

Lisa: what planet do you come from? "Frank"?

So you were surprised But as a prominent Congress leader with a lot of say in the party and all that how come you and Mr. Pawar himself were out of this decision making...

Pilot: You guys in the Congress are a stupid lot. Greedy idiots. Pls don't get me wrong. I am no fan of Deve Gowda. The man doesn't need to be PM and has no vision to even occupy that position. His politics and ideas do not extend beyond the municipal politics in Hassan. But to his credit he has done a decent job. First you guys support a party which has 45 seats in the LS just to spite BJP. Now you bring down the Govt churlishly, because a senile old bugger called Kesri wants to be PM.. Where is the justification for all this? Go to the polls… or do some soul searching and come up with a strong and charismatic young leader.. We have no problems if you or Sharad Pawar want to be PM or leader of the Congress.. What do u have to say?

Joshi: Yes it is a fact that I was kept uninformed about this decision. But like a responsible family member, it becomes also responsibility to be part of it. This is because in democratic pattern majority is the voice. But minority can be a dissent. So I thought I would give my feelings to the Congress president and then whatever he wishes to be helped in this task I would contribute. I as an congressmen feel that we should all work out some formula which can keep us going on the path which does not bring instability in the nation and the path of econmic development and other trading sectors continues. Nation at the moment is at a crucial time when budget is yet to be passed, important NAM conference is taking place. Dialogue between India and Pakiustani officials is on so we all have to be very mature and sincere in our action.

Pilotji, Why is country run by power hungry (most of them are old and cannot wait) politicians? What is happening to the young leadership?

Pilotji, Isn't it time to change the political system so that we can have political stability? If India goes to elections do you think that a single party can get majority?

Thanx for the support, Madhu. I hope the great man answers!!! Or is he so busy 'waiting and watching' that he won't..?

Mr.Pilot, I feel the nation's concern is more important than petty politics. Today we hear that the petrol bunks are closed due to the lorry strike. There is no one to take a decision at the Centre. For the country's sake either support Gowda or ask for a non-BJP govt headed by veterans like Mr. Moopanar or Mr. Basu. Mr. Kesri has little respect in Tamil Nadu. He visited Jayalalitha more often than any other leader and the worst is that he made it to the infamous Jayalalitha's foster son's marriage. We Tamils have voted for secularism and given a clear mandate. We do not want to face another election as it is going to affect the economy now. Do something. Please save India. As a true follower of Gandhian principles please for heaven's sake stop petty politics. Do reply.

Pilotji Namaskar, What are your comments about the repetitive failures of the coalition governments in India? Do you think India can never have a stable government in future looking into the present situation?

Mr. Pilot, because you guys are politician, shouldn't you have any kind of principle, any values or morals… just whims? What kind of show you are running? I know my parents always vote for congress (so as myself, once), because they think you people are good and principled! But it does not show in your work at all, especially after Kesri's such a blunt decision!

Why does Kesri keeps so much hatred towards the humble farmer Gowda?

Pilotji Can you please tell us what was the current congress stand and how come the party in my opinion being so unconcerned about the country by not even waiting for the budget to pass. Also can we afford another 500cr expense for a poll at this juncture. Wouldn’t that money be better spent on some developmental work. If the congress party is so much for the people and all that how come the leaders are so lax about the impact on the economy and the international view about India

Mr Pilot, how is the Congress going to muster support? Who are you potential allies?

Mr Pilot, this is what you said: ''I as an Congressmen feel that we should all work out some formula which can keep us going on the path which does not bring instability in the nation and the path of economic development and other trading sectors continues. Nation at the moment is at a crucial time when budget is yet to be passed, important NAM conference is taking place. Dialogue between India and Pakistani officials is on so we all have to be very mature and sincere in our action.'' How do you get stability with such actions at such crucial times?

Mr. Pilot, I think BJP deserves a chance at least for a term to show their mettle. What do you think ?

Pilotji In your true honest opinion who is the best candidate at this juncture to head the sub-continent as PM

Pilotji: your fellow Congressman Mani Shankar Aiyer has called all of you guys -- and that includes you too -- under-the-carpet sweepers in this week's Sunday magazine? Can we have your comment on that? and by the way, could you please tell me why the Congress decided to withdraw support? Can you justify it, or are you also, like us, groping in the dark?

You were shunted out of the security ministry for arresting Chandraswami, and fought hard for Rao's removal. You demanded a consensus candidate and when one came, you try to put him in a spot? Why don't you just tell the guys, pick me. They're not too bright but with some monetary assistance (as long as none have the last name Mahato) you should be home free, wot?

Pilotji, It looks that you are not very happy with the decision of withdrawing support from UF govt. Can you tell me the status of Congress in current political scenario in India. BJP is growing and enjoying the status of main opposition party and UF is ruling the country. Where does it leave Congress. It is neither the ruling party nor is in the opposition. If the status quo remains then in a year or so Congress will be completely decimated.

Today, UF leaders are saying that Congress has no right to talk about the leadership issue in UF. However, the same UF leaders objected to the projection of Ms. Mayawati as the chief minister of UP. In fact, the Congress should have withdrawn the support, when the UF refused to support Congress-BSP govt. in UP.

Sudhir: Yes, Sudhir this is the general feeling what you are saying. And, believe me, most of the Congressmen in AP, Karnataka, WB, TN, Assam, BIhar were agitated with the respective UF constituents in their states. There was pressure on the Congress high command asking why it was supporting this government. To tell you very frankly, in May 1996 after the general election many UF leaders offered to support us if we changed the leadership of Mr Rao. But that time Rao was adamant. And Kesriji was supporting him. I opposed Rao and requested that if the UF is supporting us we should consider forming the government. But the majority of us felt that we should support secular forces to keep the BJP out. Now, I really do not know what was the urgency and the discussion of 30th March working committee in which I was not present, for them to take this decision which certainly gives rise to feeling like yours.

Mr. Pilot: Looks like UF unwilling to accept a coalition with the Congress. There seems to be only two solutions to the crisis - General election or Sacrifice of Gowda. At this point no one, not even BJP, is ready to face electorates. The other is a face saving formula for Kesri and Congress - Dump Gowda. Who do you think will be acceptable to Kesri ? Moopanar, Gupta, Gujral or Naidu? In the event of UF govt. surviving the crisis with a new PM from their ranks, will Kesri survive as Congress president?

Mr Pilot, your party has said it is withdrawing support because the Deve Gowda government has failed to check the rise of communal forces -- obviously implying the BJP. Over whose eyes are you trying to pull the wool? If push comes to elections in the present crisis (precipitated by YOUR party), the BJP could very well emerge with a thumping majority. I am sure your party is aware of this possibility. Is Mr Kesri secretly working for the BJP?

Pilot Saahab, I think its time to think about a National Govt. with able leaders from different parties coming together and working together for the SAKE of Bharat ! Pls. don't BS about communal forces...BJP.. Your comments please. P L E A S E A N S W E R ! !

Mr Pilot what plans does the Congress have now?

The advantage of questions on this Chat is that uncomfortable questions can go unanswered. Those proles can be ignored, the judiciary can't be.

Again all this "secular forces" BULLSHIT. This is a waste of time. I'm disappearing. Bye bye, guys and gals.

Mr Pilot: Could I please have the address of that driver chappie whom you called ''bugger'' and asked not to ''bullshit''? I want to repeat my questions to him.. maybe, unlike you, he will be able to answer

How come all I read is questions from us and no answers from the guest.

Madhu: The guest is 'watching and waiting' I guess!

Pilotji, do you think the UF will agree to an arrangement similar to the one made by BJP and BSP?

Advani: Yes Advaniji, we have been bull shited by every constituent of the UF that the Congress cannot do nothing except to support us. One day the home minister gave a statement that Congress dare not to withdraw the support another day the agricultural minister said the Congress has no other alternative except to support us. Everyday even the Hon'ble PM, would say that I am ready to go home any day. With all this factor we continued. You are also right many of our colleagues felt that we should have withdrawn the support on UP affair. But we thought in the national interest even losing politically in many states, we thought at this time support is must so that pace of development is not affected. But unfortunately that could not be continued. Now, as a disturbed Congressmen, I am trying to find out some way where nation does not see the era of instability and Congress ideology must not suffer.

Pilotji, Have you ever thought in the direction of formation of a National Govt? This communalism, anti-BJP planks don't fool anyone. Please answer.

Alright, I give in. So tell me only what your party's ad agency has cleared.

Awwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!! My dal just got thoroughly burned. And I got news for Rediff!! I am going to sue Mr Pilot! I leave my kids wailing and the dal boiling to be with him and what do we get? Long, long silences...

Will Moopanar be an acceptable candidate as Prime Minister to the Congress?

National Interest !! This slogan no longer gives "shobha " to any Congress man ! Please do not talk of National Interest. It sounds very shallow !!

Mr.Pilot, What are the realistic chances of there being a split n the Congress, or is the answer going to be we are one, (crooks and backstabbers ) but united. You yourself tried to start proceedings against Chandraswami but were stopped in your tracks. Don’t you think it is time for someone like yourself to speak out rather than just cover things because the culprits are Congressman and you love your party.