Rediff On The NeT: Transcript of the Suresh Kalmadi Chat


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The Suresh Kalmadi Chat

At the end of the 45 minute chat, Suresh Kalmadi surfaced a much thinner man. On the Rediff Chat, he had to face many angry questioners, who vented their ire at the Congress party pretty freely. Though Kalmadi was guarded with his answers, he made it clear that his loyalties still lay with former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao. Read on...

Trey (Mon Apr 7 19:31:22 1997 IST):

hello!

Anti-congress (Mon Apr 7 19:50:12 1997 IST):

Hello Kal ! It is nice talking to you. Could you tell me why the congress is different from communal parties. I need a detailed answer from you. I think your party is equally communal.

Anti-congress (Mon Apr 7 19:51:51 1997 IST):

Anti-congress (Mon Apr 7 19:50:12 1997 IST): Hello Kal ! It is nice talking to you. Could you tell me why the congress is different from communal parties. I need a detailed answer from you. I think your party is equally communal.

Tarini (Mon Apr 7 19:57:09 1997 IST):

Hi! Is Mr Kalmadi in yet?

Tarini (Mon Apr 7 19:58:06 1997 IST):

Hi Anti-congress and Trey! Don't think anyone else is around yet.

SURESH KALMADI (Mon Apr 7 19:58:35 1997 IST):

EVERYONE: Hello everyone, I am ready for your questions..

Meenashi Rao (Mon Apr 7 19:59:22 1997 IST):

Do you think Kesri erred by withdrawing support to the UF government? What is the Congress game plan now?

Tarini (Mon Apr 7 19:59:43 1997 IST):

Hi, Mr Kalmadi! What do you think is going to happen on the 11th?

Maria (Mon Apr 7 20:00:00 1997 IST):

Hello Mr Kalmadi do you think that Mr Gowda will be able to prove a majority?

Disgusted! (Mon Apr 7 20:01:23 1997 IST):

Don't you think your party and that weasel Sitaram Kesri are in deep shit? How are you (as in the Congress) going to salvalge this situation?

Dheraj (Mon Apr 7 20:01:54 1997 IST):

Mr Kalmadi do you think there is dissent in the Congress party? Is a break up likely?>

SURESH KALMADI (Mon Apr 7 20:01:59 1997 IST):

Anti_Congress: Since independence congress has been a party which has been looking after the interest of all sections of society. And the weaker section in particular. And taking along with it all caste, creeed and all sections of the society. Well the BJP has all along being taking a communal line and it has been upto congress party to fight this. Though it might not be popular with many, even at the cost of loosing votes in many areas that has not detterred us from taking us stance against communal forces.

Dheraj (Mon Apr 7 20:02:19 1997 IST):

Mr Kalmadi do you think there is dissent in the Congress party? Is a break up likely?>

Dheraj (Mon Apr 7 20:03:09 1997 IST):

Mr Kalmadi: What do you think will be the fate of Phoolan Devi?

Tarini (Mon Apr 7 20:03:50 1997 IST):

Hi, Mr Kalmadi! What do you think is going to happen on the 11th?

SURESH KALMADI (Mon Apr 7 20:04:38 1997 IST):

Rao: Well time will tell whether he ered or not but he must be definetly having a gameplan. WE have given him time to explain it to us. There is still four days to go for the no confidence vote. We members of parliament are very clear that we do not want a mid term poll NOr do we want the BJP to take advantage of the present political situation.

Disgusted! (Mon Apr 7 20:06:16 1997 IST):

That answer to Rao is all very nice, but what about you as a Congressman? Or are you only interested in saving your seat in parliament?

SURESH KALMADI (Mon Apr 7 20:08:50 1997 IST):

TArini: Your guess is as good as mine. DISGUSTED: The congress is passing through trying times. People seem to feel that there is a shortcut to popularise the party but a lot of hard work has to be put in for the next two to three years for the people to have confidence in the congress party. The younger leadership in the party must be thrown up.

Maneckchand (Mon Apr 7 20:08:53 1997 IST):

HELLO Mr Kalmadi: Sir what do you think will be the fate of the Congress will it be able to regain its lost glory?

ravi (Mon Apr 7 20:09:18 1997 IST):

Mr. Kamladi, I believe that post election alliances should not be recognised only pre election alliances should. I belive the former is a violation of the peoples mandate .. Your opinion ..

Maneckchand (Mon Apr 7 20:11:24 1997 IST):

Mr Kalmadi: Do you agree with Mr Kesri's actions just because he is the Congress president? Or do you personally identify with hsi actions

Disgusted! (Mon Apr 7 20:11:31 1997 IST):

Thank you, Mr Kalmadi. But how about being a little more specifice- for instance, who are the people who feel there is a shortcut? And what is this shortcut they are talking about? And could you elaborate on, to quote what you said, "The younger leadership in the party must be thrown up."

SURESH KALMADI (Mon Apr 7 20:11:44 1997 IST):

Dheraj: The congress party is like an ocean with so many streams and rivers flowing and there are all sorts of views which can be expressed in a party forum. So that is what happens at various times and that is what is happening today when the party has withdrawn support to the government. But there will be no break up of the party and there will be a happy ending no doubt about it.

Nanidini (Mon Apr 7 20:12:06 1997 IST):

Hello Kalmadiji: Could you, before you go into high-funda political non-talk, give a simple answer to a simple housewife? How do you justify your party's act? (Is it justifiable?) Was it done with the full support of the party, or was it one with the vengence motive. I asked this very same question to your fellow Congressman Rajesh Pilot, he convenieitly ignored it. I hope you won't do the same.

Maneckchand (Mon Apr 7 20:12:15 1997 IST):

Mr Kalmadi: Do you agree with Mr Kesri's actions just because he is the Congress president? Or do you personally identify with hsi actions

Tarini (Mon Apr 7 20:13:32 1997 IST):

Sir, how can your educated guess compare with that of a common person who does not even know what is happening in her country - could you let us know what YOU think will happen on the 11th?

SURESH KALMADI (Mon Apr 7 20:14:10 1997 IST):

Manekchand: I have already stated that we were unaware of Kesri's gameplan. But we feel that he must be having one which we are not yet aware of. I hope he will spell it out in next couple of days. We do not want a mid term poll under any circumstances.

Maneckchand (Mon Apr 7 20:14:34 1997 IST):

Mr Kalmadi: What is wrong with the Gowda government towards the counrtry that you are opposed against

Chand Mitra (Mon Apr 7 20:15:21 1997 IST):

MR KALMADI: Even if Kesri succeeds form a government, do not think that that kind of coalition will not be stable? Don't expect election in that scenario? Your valuable comment please...

Continued