Sandesh Prabhudesai
20 February 1998
Churchill Alemao, the Robin Hood in Indian politics has created a special image in Delhi, among the central leaders of various parties. While politicians in Goa accuse him as a smuggler and a goonda, he seems to be quite popular among top leaders of various parties, whether it be Deve Gowda or Ram Vilas Paswan of Janata Dal, Indrajit Gupta of CPI or even L K Advani of the BJP.
Despite being elected for the first time to the 11th Lok Sabha in 1996, he managed to mobilise a group of 11 MPs, who represent small regional parties in their respective areas like the United Goans Democratic Party of Alemao, but are considered independents in the Parliament.
When the Congress had withdrawn support to the I K Gujral's United Front government, Alemao's close aides claim that he had almost decided to align with the BJP-led front if it came to power, as the leader of the 11 independents.
After defeating five-time MP and former union minister Eduardo Faleiro in last elections, he is now facing another former Congress minister, Francisco Sardinha, in South Goa. Due to his popular Robin Hood image, his chances of going back to Delhi are quite bright.
SANDESH PRABHUDESAI spoke to him at length about his political strategy, if elected once again, in Delhi to form a coalition government, no matter whether it is BJP-led or the Congress-United Front alliance. Excerpts :
Have you been in touch with all those "independent" MPs you were leading in Delhi ? What are their chances of winning ?
Of course I am in touch with them. Last time, we were only 11 MPs, mostly from the North Eastern states and one from Haryana. But now we will be definitely a group of minimum 20 members, representing various regional parties in the Parliament.
It is predicted that any front, whether a BJP-led one or a combination of the Congress and the United Front, would need at least 25 to 30 more MPs to form the government. What would be your strategy in such a situation ?
We will remain together as a rock.
To bargain for ministerial berths ?
Of course to bargain, but not for the ministry. We primarily bargain for the state-level developmental works. Ministry will come automatically. There won't be demand as such.
Will you try for the cabinet berth, which you missed last time because of union law minister Ramakant Khalap ?
I will not try for it. But if the Almighty God gives it to me, then why should I reject the offer ?
What if Khalap is made the minister, denying you the opportunity once again ?
Who am I to say NO to him, if he is offered berth by the rulers ? But I tell you, he is totally unfit to become the minister.
Will you demand to keep him out of the cabinet ?
Why should I demand it ? People are going to keep him out of the Parliament this time. Just wait for the results.
Will your group be open for talks with any party to support their government ?
The question is hypothetical. But I personally feel that we should remain with those, whom people have given a clear mandate as a majority party.
Does that include the BJP also ?
Why not, if they have the mandate ? They are not untouchables. In any case, they won't be in a position to form the full-fledged BJP government. It will be a coalition government. But ultimately, my voters would decide whether we should support the BJP-led coalition government or not. I personally feel that they would not come to power.
Aren't you part of the United Front today ?
No. The UF is not a political party. It is a front of around 14 different parties. But I believe that the UF will come to power once again.
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