Today in a way the Left is also performing the role of the Opposition

Vidya Subrahmaniam: In politics, yet out of it. That is V.P. Singh at 75. In an interview, he talks about his newest baby, the Jan Dal, and sketches out the ideal situation at the Centre — two coalitions, led by the Congress and the Left respectively, occupying both ruling and Opposition spaces. Excerpts: The Hindu Saturday, Jul 15, 2006

The media might think I have made a re-appearance but I have been busy all along — with farmers' issues, the rights of slum-dwellers, and so forth. Unfortunately, the poor do not make news. The mainstream newspapers did not report any of my campaigns, so apparently I was nowhere. Now I have made a "re-appearance" because I have taken up electoral issues. I personally think people's movements are more important. But reporters get excited only by electoral politics.

The new Jan Morcha is a political alliance of which the Jan Dal is one constituent; it includes, among others, Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, Indian Justice Party, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Our first electoral test will be the upcoming Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.

We are for farmers, workers, and the most backward caste groups. But we are not against anyone. My purpose is a broader one — it is not so much about forming a government as about generating and sustaining a movement. We want a say in decision-making for the weaker sections. Governments come and go, movements last.

The purpose then was to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party. I supported the Congress for the same reason. Today there is no threat from the BJP. The Jan Morcha is a multi-party alliance. I cannot decide for everybody. There are many parties in our front that are not favourable to the Congress — the CPI, the CPI (ML), and other smaller parties. I cannot let them down. Mine is not a vote calculation. We have come together for a cause. Those who are for a larger movement will stay with us. Others will move on. I'm very clear that if responsibility comes to us we will not shirk it.

Even when I was in the Janata Dal, it was my endeavour to make both electoral spaces, ruling and Opposition, secular. That is the only way to squeeze out the BJP. I do not want the UPA Government disturbed now. Once the term gets over, ideally we should have two coalitions — one led by the Congress and other by the Left. One will be in office and the other in Opposition. Today in a way the Left is also performing the role of the Opposition, which is very good. This will ensure that the disgruntled do not go to the BJP.

The BJP rose on emotion, which is not sustainable. The battle was between Mandal and Mandir. Mandal has outlasted Mandir. Mandir has waned. Mandal has been validated by every political party. Mandir does not originate from the Constitution, Mandal does. Fifteen years after I enforced Mandal, I feel vindicated by the endorsement it has received.

Today merit has become an obsession. Yet nobody raises questions when tuition fees are raised. The high cost of education makes it the preserve of the rich who go on to monopolise decision-making. The caste system is anti-merit, it restricts space for merit. By opening up this space, we release the merit potential of the whole country. If 20 per cent of the population can achieve so much, think of the possibilities that will come with 100 per cent participation. Reservation is not anti-merit but an effort to open up merit.