M A I N   N E W S

Tribune Special
Wait and watch, says Shatru on joining Cong
Swati Chaturvedi

New Delhi, November 15
“Bihari Babu” Shatrughan Sinha is in a defiant mood. “Let them throw me out of the BJP but I will not compromise on the issue of criminalisation of politics”, he roars in his characteristic baritone.

In an exclusive interview to ‘Janmat’, a television channel, the former Union Health Minister says he will not compromise with the BJP. “I don’t want even a Rajya Sabha seat. I have told my leaders about this. These are small things. I did not get into politics for the pursuit of position or power”, he says with a tone of finality.

Asked about the fact that he refused to campaign for the BJP on the ground that criminals were given tickets and the veiled attacks the party leaders made on him saying that he was irrelevant and they did not want stars, Sinha laughs heartily and chuckles, “the grapes are sour”.

On the practice prevalent in the BJP of giving off-the-record briefings, Mr Sinha takes a dig at, what he calls, the baiter-in-chief, BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley: “Those who chair cricket associations and fight for corporate houses without fighting elections should not make fun of leaders like Mr Madan Lal Khurana, who has fought and won so many elections for the BJP”.

Asked if only “dissatisfied” leaders such as Mr Khurana and Mr Kirti Azad were joining his non-political front, Mr Sinha quipped, “what can I do if the satisfied people are not with me?”

Questioned on the BJP’s charge that he was known for his tantrums, the “Bihari Babu” said, “I am cool, calm and collected and I am registering my protest in a dignified way. I want an answer to the question I am raising. If we fight against tainted ministers at the Centre and stop Parliament from functioning, how can we compromise in Bihar? After all, which law prevents a criminal legislator from being made a minister? That is why I refused to campaign and I feel that I had every right to do so”.

On his five-star lifestyle and demands for helicopters, Mr Sinha asked, “why do they criticise it? Do they mean that I should take a bullock cart? If, as you say, I am such a crowd puller, then with a helicopter at my disposal, I would be able to address at least 15 meetings a day. I come from a background where five stars are the norm. I would like to ask these people where they come from?”

On reports that he was planning to join the Congress party, Mr Sinha smiles and says, “who has seen tomorrow? Wait and watch”.