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Amarinder
Singh, 60, is the man in the hot seat in Punjab. The tired but triumphant
former army captain shared his views with Special Correspondent Ramesh
Vinayak. Excerpts:
Q. What in your view are the challenges ahead?
A. Revival of the economy and grip on corruption. Building the economy
may take some time, but our battle against corruption would begin from
Day 1. I am going to set up a judicial commission to probe the corruption
of Badal and his regime.
Q. Why aren't you utilising the Lokpal?
A. The Lokpal is a good institution. But unfortunately, people have
played around with it. We had to move the court to get the last Lokpal
struck out because of his closeness to Badal. The current Lokpal is a
stamped BJP man.
Q. You have promised sops totalling Rs 1,200 crore.
A. This Rs 1,200 crore includes the Rs 280 crore the Akalis have already
given as free power to the farmers. We are hoping to mobilise Rs 4,000
crore by cutting costs. We are going to have an austere government.
Q. What do you expect from an unfriendly Centre?
A. There are 14 Congress states. Four of them figured as top performers
in a survey in your magazine. They too are dealing with the Centre. Why
can't we?
Q. Does a formidable Opposition worry you?
A. They are not formidable. They have no legislative ability.
Q. How long will your truce with Rajinder Kaur Bhattal last?
A. I don't visualise any problem within the party. The Congress president
will accommodate Bhattal somewhere.
Q. How about the perception that you have a coterie?
A. I never succumb to this coterie business. People are entitled to
give me their inputs, but the final decision is always mine.
Q. Is Amarinder of the SAD different from the Congressman?
A. I don't know how you see him but Amarinder is a good chap.
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CURRENT
ISSUE MARCH 11, 2002
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