Q/ What is the message from the ongoing political developments?
A/ The message is clear—communal-minded people cannot finish off the Constitution. Socialists went to jail during Emergency. Now it is even worse, it is against the Constitution. Bihar has given a new direction to the country.
Q/ So, this is a message for opposition unity?
A/ Yes, it is. We have to work in tandem and in time to salvage the situation. If we fall short, history will be unkind to us. In every era, there is a time when there is no other way. Now is the time for opposition unity.
Q/ Has the socialist movement in the country weakened?
A/ Socialism is part of the people’s consciousness. Religious fanatics have pushed everything else under the carpet, but issues remain. The talk of Hindu versus Muslim or India versus Pakistan is pushed to the forefront, but at the end of the day, people cannot stay away from basic needs like food and development. Money may be printed by the Reserve Bank, but the production comes from our land. Agriculture is important, so these issues remain.
Q/ The JD(U) and the RJD were together in 2015, but got separated in 2017. Will it happen again?
A/ We will go towards our goal with the people’s support. Society always learns from its mistakes, there is no point wasting time on the past.
Q/ Will Tejashwi Yadav become chief minister in 2025?
A/ I believe he is always number one. We may have slowed down, but Tejashwi remains focused.
Q/ Nitish Kumar talks about opposition unity. What are his chances of becoming the opposition’s PM candidate?
A/ Lalu Prasad said the lesson he learnt during the JP movement was that when there was confusion, a revolutionary step would provide the answer. Communal forces want to take over. Look at what they did in Maharashtra. But Bihar will provide leadership as it had done in the past, like it did for Mahatma Gandhi or the Buddha. Even during Emergency, it was Bihar that provided direction to the country. Lalu stopped L.K. Advani’s rath yatra in 1990, saving the country from riots. Bihar is again offering a direction to work for the country.
Q/ The RJD regime is often criticised as jungle raj.
A/ What is jungle raj? It is the survival of the fittest. What is socialism? It works for an equal society. We have worked for an equal society—to give food, shelter and clothings to the poor. The allegations are made by communal elements who do not want to empower people. Lalu gave the slogan ‘study or die’. We did not walk on the path of survival of the fittest, but for the survival of all.