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The Rediff Interview/Nara Chandrababu Naidu

'I don't think the BJP will ever dare venture construction of the temple at Ayodhya'

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is a very worried man these days. Not because of the economic sanctions imposed by the G-8 nations following the nuclear tests at Pokhran, but because the Sangh Parivar's hidden agenda in going ahead with the construction of a Ram temple at a disputed site at Ayodhya is likely to turn his minority vote-bank against him.

This is bad news since he has the assembly election coming up, and this segment of the electorate is baying for his blood since he had tacitly backed the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. And the sanctions the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government's decision to go ahead with nuclear tests has badly affected his state.

"It is true that my state is worst hit (losing about Rs 23 billion in external aid) by the sanctions. But I am more worried about the wrong signals being sent out by the Sangh Parivar regarding their decision to construction a temple at Ayodhya,'' he told M S Shanker in his first exclusive interview after the Pokhran explosions.

What is your party's stand on India going nuclear?

It's all over. Why do we talk about it and rake up a controversy now?

But your state is worst hit by the G-8's economic sanctions that followed...

It's true. But, what can we do now? It's all over. We cannot reverse the situation. Yet, I feel the economic sanctions imposed by the developed nations should not have any bearing on my state. Most of the aid is meant for ongoing projects. Moreover, it had been already promised. I don't think that they can go back on that. Of course, on fresh aid the sanctions impact may be felt. The meeting with World Bank officials is scheduled to be held on June 28. Let us hope for the best.

Do you think by conducting nuclear tests, the government has helped enhance the nation's prestige?

Whether it has enhanced national prestige or not, it certainly forced neighbouring Pakistan to go nuclear. Beyond this, I would not like to comment.

Does it mean we should be blamed for triggering arms race in the region?

Is it necessary for me to confirm it?

Or was it done so that the BJP could gain politically?

That's for the people to decide. I have nothing to add to whatever I have already said.

The BJP government has declared a moratorium on nuclear tests. So did Pakistan. Both claim they will use nuclear energy for better and peaceful purposes. Will you endorse such a proposal?

Of course, who will not? Making use of nuclear energy for development should always be welcomed.

In such a case, will your government clear the proposed nuclear power plant at Nagarjunagar?

You are well aware about some environmentalists kicking up a row on that. Let me examine its feasibility once again and see what best we can do.

Considering the huge costs involved, don't you think an active nuclear policy does more damage than good to the society in long run?

I don't think so.

What's your assessment of the BJP-led government at the Centre?

It's too early to comment.

But what about the Opposition parties' allegation that the BJP is bent upon implementing its hidden agenda?

What's that hidden agenda you are talking about?

Nuclear tests or the preparations for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya....

As far as the nuclear option of BJP is concerned, it is well known. But, I don't think that they will ever dare venture construction of the temple at Ayodhya. The party leadership deny the media reports and promise the nation that they will abide by the court's decision. I sincerely feel the BJP will restrict itself to the national agenda promised to its constituents. Anyway, my party is only extending conditional support to the BJP government.

And what if the BJP government goes ahead with the construction of temple at Ayodhya?

Although I would not like to react to such hypothetical questions, people are well aware of my party's secular credentials. I don't think Vajpayeeji will indulge in such a misadventure.

The Rediff Interviews