Senior Congress leader and Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram is not someone to “lose his nerve” easily, as he told Parliament once — more so, after a rigorous campaign for the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu. From not contesting this election to charges against him in the 2G spectrum scam, he responded to a range of issues in an interview to Walter Scott at his residence in Managiri near Karaikudi on Thursday. Excerpts:
How do you rate the Congress’s prospects in the State and the country as a whole?
The Congress was at the weakest point when we found we had to contest without any alliance. But in the last four weeks, we have made tremendous efforts to reach our message to the people. I think we have succeeded in a fair manner. I think we have laid the building blocks for reviving the party. As for winning or losing seats, I am not able to predict any number for Tamil Nadu. It is even more difficult to predict for the country as a whole. In my view, it [the Lok Sabha election] is the collection of 28 State elections and it is very difficult to make any general predictions. The issues that matter in Punjab have no relevance in Odisha because the players are different, the contest is different and the voting patterns are different.
Are the people angry with the Congress because of price rise, corruption and its neo-liberal policies?
There is anti-incumbency. But there have been instances when the ruling party has bucked the anti-incumbency trend. For example, there are Chief Ministers who have won three successive elections. The Congress itself was re-elected in 2009 after five years in office at the Centre.
During electioneering, you said you would stay put in Sivaganga and take up Gandhian Nirman work. Could you elaborate?
I am thinking aloud. I have already tied up with Mr. Sulabh Choudhary [of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation] to start a movement for eradicating open defecation in this district. It will take some time. Similarly, there are a few other things which can be done.
Do you intend quitting active politics?
No. I have categorically said no. I will be more active, more interventionist and more outspoken in politics.
The question who the next Finance Minister will be has attracted more interest than who the Prime Minister is. Your take?
Let us see who the Prime Minister is and what the government is.
In the event of the BJP forming the government, who would be the Finance Minister?
I suspect Mr. Modi [BJP’s prime ministerial candidate] is pro-capitalist. There are allegations that some of his decisions in Gujarat can be characterised as crony capitalism. What kind of a person can fit the bill if Mr. Modi becomes the Prime Minister is for you to draw your own conclusions.
Have you opted out to make way for the younger generation, or you wish to re-enter Parliament through the backdoor as a Rajya Sabha member?
Who has said that? These are all mealy-mouthed gossips. I repeatedly said people must make way for the younger generation and I believe I set an example.
Will you return to Tamil Nadu politics to revive Kamaraj rule?
I am for young people taking up party responsibilities. I would like somebody much younger to take over the reins of the party in the State. We will help him.
On Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi saying the party will go it alone in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly election also?
That has been pretty clear. In 2016 also, we will fight it alone. “Fight it alone” means we will have [alliance with] some small parties. We are not likely to align with either of the two Dravidian parties.
You wanted DMK president M. Karunanidhi to declare that the DMK, post-election, will not go with the BJP?
He has been carefully ambiguous … They [DMK] have not categorically declared that under no circumstances they will support a BJP-led government either from inside or outside.
What is your advice to your son Karti P. Chidambaram?
He has contested the election [from Sivaganga] … Let us see what the outcome is.
