We'll convince our Muslim voters of N-deal: Amar

THE LEFT(OVER): Relations with Left not damaged because of N-deal, but am sorry if Karat is hurt, says Amar Singh.

          

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Karan Thapar: I accept that.

Amar Singh: So if there’s a deal for the nation, we are supporting it. There is no question of past, prejudice or hurt. Where is the alliance? I am not seeking anything. I am not a seeker.

Karan Thapar: All of this is explained by the fact that it’s good for the country and that comes first.

Amar Singh: Yes. I am not a seeker. There is a question of being patronised but neither are they giving nor am I seeking.

Karan Thapar: Let me put this to you. Today, as you say, your first priority is to combat communal forces, to ensure that the BJP doesn’t come to power and, as you say, you will do everything in your power to prevent it. In light of that, do you regret the decision you took in 1999 – when you did not give support to Sonia Gandhi, and therefore facilitated five more years of BJP rule? Do you regret that?

Amar Singh: I am not very happy about it, and I don't have any embarrassment in saying that I regret it.

Karan Thapar: Was it a mistake?

Amar Singh: Of course it was.

Karan Thapar: Whose decision was it – your or Mulayam Singh’s?

Amar Singh: All of us. Even if it was Mulayam Singh, it was my decision for he is my leader. The decisions are collective in nature so why blame one person for it? And it was not a mistake from one side, it was a mistake from two sides. It was a mistake of Congress as well, because they were not in a mood to accept the coalition dharma at that point of time. Mrs Gandhi and government said that give support with no participation and Jayalalithaa ji, Lalu ji and all of us wanted to participate in the government. But Samajwadi Party, at that point in time along with Left, said we don’t want power, we don’t want to join the government. But it was not acceptable then.

Karan Thapar: So you are saying you made a mistake but you are also saying that Congress too made a mistake. If Congress had behaved differently, you could have given support and prevented five years of BJP rule.

Amar Singh: That’s correct, this analysis of yours.

Karan Thapar: Do you think you should apologise to the country for the fact that your decision lead to five extra years of what you consider rule by communal forces?